An 8-month-old child and three other members of an Indian-origin family were found dead in an orchard Thursday after being kidnapped in California’s Merced city.
“Our worst fears have been confirmed,” said Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke after the bodies were found in an orchard.
Authorities announced the kidnapping after releasing surveillance video showing an eight-month-old girl, her parents and uncle being abducted from their business Monday in Merced, in the San Joaquin Valley southeast of San Francisco.
California’s sheriff launched a search after they were abducted on Monday.
Amandeep Singh (39), Jasdeep Singh (36), Jasleen Kaur (27), and their 8-month-old daughter Aroohi Dheri were identified as the victims.
According to authorities, a convicted robber kidnapped the four and tried to kill himself a day later. According to the sheriff, there was no ransom demand from the kidnapper, but he believes the crime was financially motivated.