Missing airplane mechanic found dead after trying to collect $315,000 debt, three suspects charged

The United States Attorney's Office released a statement about a Florida airplane mechanic who was reportedly kidnapped and ultimately killed after trying to collect a $315,000 debt. And one of the suspects in the case is the man who owed him the money.

Suren Seetal, 36, was reported missing after he did not return home on November 2.

The U.S. Attorney's Office announced that charges had been brought against three men, stating: "Today, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida charged Avin Seetaram, a/k/a 'Smalls,' 24, Somjeet Christopher Singh, a/k/a 'Lil Chris,' 29, and Gavin Hunter, 18, all of Broward County..."

The statement went on to say that the three men had been charged with "murder for hire conspiracy, murder for hire, kidnapping conspiracy, kidnapping, and obstruction of justice, for their involvement in a violent kidnapping and murder of Miami-Dade resident Suren Seetal."

According to an affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Singh owed Seetal approximately $315,000, and the victim's girlfriend apparently told the authorities that he was trying to collect his debts.

Seetal was last seen alive on November 2, as he was leaving work. When he did not return a series of phone calls and did not return home, his family contacted the authorities.

Karen Seetal, who organized a GoFundMe account, said on November 13 that "Suren was last working at the airplane hangar at Banyan, FXE Airport in Fort Lauderdale, and left around 6:41 p.m. Thursday November 2nd, 2023 to run some errands before his trip to Trinidad on Saturday."

The fundraiser continued: “Suren did not return home Thursday night nor did he show up for work on Friday. His cell phone has been going to voicemail. Any donations will go directly to the family to help with the search. Thank you for any help you can provide."

The authorities reported that Seetal's phone was traced around Dr. HVAC, Singh's air conditioning company. However, the device disappeared from the network not long after.

Seetal's body was found at Big Cypress Reservation on November 21.

The suspects in the case were apparently working together in the fireworks business, and they had been in contact leading up to Seetal's disappearance.

The affidavit claims that an unmarked black tow truck driven by an employee of Singh's cousin took Seetal's vehicle away from Dr. HVAC. PEOPLE reported that the move was apparently tracked by SunPass, a toll system in Florida.

The very same day that Seetal's vehicle was removed from the vicinity of Dr. HVAC, Home Depot security footage captured Seetaram and Singh buying a 96-gallon yard waste cart, per the affidavit.

Seetaram's cell phone was tracked traveling in the general direction of where the victim's body was found by the authorities. Hunter, the third suspect in the case, is the one believed to have fatally shot Seetal, according to the affidavit.

WTVJ obtained a statement from Seetaram's attorney, who said: "We extend our sincere condolences to the Seetal family. It's still very early, but I have been in regular communication with the Government since my client's arrest, and working diligently with the Government to understand the allegations and reach a just and expeditious resolution to this serious matter."

If convicted of the charges, Seetaram, Singh, and Hunter will each face a mandatory penalty of life in prison. They could also face the death penalty, according to the press release.

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