Major update in Merced kidnapping case after the ‘extreme’ location four bodies were found is revealed

A MAN has been charged with the murder and kidnap of a Merced family after their bodies were discovered in an "extreme" location.

Jesus Manuel Salgado, 48, made his first court appearance on Monday after he was arrested in connection with the chilling case that has rocked California.

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He is accused of abducting Jasdeep Singh, 36, Jasleen Kaur, 27, their baby girl Aroohi Dheri, and her 29-year-old uncle Amandeep Singh.

The brood were forced to leave their trucking business at gunpoint by a masked assailant in the terrifying kidnap on October 3 that was caught on camera.

Both Singh brothers appeared to have their hands zip-tied behind their backs as they were forced into a vehicle, while Kaur was seen carrying her child.

Police announced their "worst fears" were confirmed on October 5 when they discovered the bodies of the family in an orchard field.

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They had been dumped in an "extremely" rural and remote area of Merced County before a farmworker found them.

Cops had arrested Salgado on the previous day while the desperate search for the married couple, their tot and Amandeep continued.

The alleged killer had attempted to take his own life before he was taken into custody and was rushed to hospital in critical condition.

The 48-year-old, who previously worked for the family two years ago, made his first court appearance over video on Monday.

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He was seen wearing a safety smock, a "noose-proof" garment that are now standard issue throughout jails and prisons in the US.

Prosecutors have charged him with four counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances, along with arson and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Salgado did not enter a plea, instead telling the judge that he needed more time to find an attorney, ABC30 reported.

Heartbroken family members gathered at the court but said being confronted with the alleged killer was "painful".

Relative Mandeep Bhela told of their grief, saying they want to "make sure that justice is truly served".

She told reporters: "Part of me doesn't even want to call this person a human. This is not a human being. This is evil."

The family previously told how they heartbreakingly found a tiny shoe belonging to baby Aroohi at the trucking company.

Saldago was arrested after the Merced County Sheriff's Office received information "that one of the victim’s ATM cards was used at an ATM located at a bank in the City of Atwater."

Part of me doesn't even want to call this person a human. This is not a human being. This is evil

Mandeep Bhela

His brother Alberto Salgado was also arrested for allegedly aiding Saldago with the crimes, but has not yet been charged.

The 41-year-old was held for criminal conspiracy, accessory and destroying evidence.

A motive for the kidnapping and murder remains unclear, as there were no ransom demands made, the Associated Press reported.

But it has emerged that Salgado held a grudge against the couple after they sent him on an out-of-state assignment two years ago.

A spokesperson for the victims, Edwin Kainth, said they became embroiled in a "little argument" when he returned.

Kainth told NBC Bay Area: "They had a little argument with the owners and the truck drivers, so I think that’s how he got mad and took that action after almost two years ago."

The family had opened the office for their business, Unison Trucking Inc, only a week prior to their abduction and murder.

Relatives told how their "shared American dream [had] gone wrong" in a poignant GoFundMe post earlier this week.

CHILLING PAST

It explained the brothers were the "primary earners" for the family, who have now been left with a "void that cannot be filled."

The fund was launched to support Amandeep's two young children and the rest of the family through this tragic time.

It also emerged that Salgado has a chequered criminal past and has already spent a number of years behind bars.

The horrific killings prompted two women to tell the Los Angeles Times how they were terrorized by him 17 years ago.

Salgado had previously been convicted of first-degree robbery with the use of a firearm in Merced County, attempted false imprisonment, and tried to prevent or dissuade a victim or witness, AP reported.

He was also found guilty of attempted false imprisonment and an attempt to prevent or dissuade a victim or witness after he held a family he had worked for at gunpoint, and forced them to follow his orders.

In 2007, Salgado was sentenced to 11 years in state prison for the robbery.

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However, he was released in 2015 and discharged from parole three years later, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

He also has a conviction for possession of a controlled substance, the department said.

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