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Elderly man killed after abduction from North Ryde home
An 85-year-old widower, Chris Baghsarian, was taken from his Sydney residence on 13 February and later found dead, with police alleging the crime stemmed from a case of mistaken identity. Two men in their 20s have been charged with murder and kidnapping.
Arrests made following forensic confirmation
Police arrested a 24-year-old and a 29-year-old on Wednesday after forensic analysis confirmed a body discovered near a golf course on Sydney's outskirts was Baghsarian's. Both men, previously known to authorities for minor offenses, were denied bail and are set to appear in court on Thursday.
Investigators believe additional suspects may be involved, with further arrests anticipated.
Mistaken identity suspected in violent crime
Detectives stated that early inquiries revealed Baghsarian was not the intended target of the kidnapping. Local media reports suggest the attack may have been directed at a family with alleged ties to organized crime.
"Early inquiries established that Chris Baghsarian was not the intended target of the kidnapping and had been taken in a case of mistaken identity."
New South Wales Police
Family appeals for privacy as police pursue leads
Baghsarian's family welcomed the arrests but requested media respect their privacy during the investigation. Authorities continue to urge witnesses who may have seen activity near the golf course on 14 February to come forward.
In the days following the abduction, police made multiple public appeals for Baghsarian's safe return, citing his health conditions and need for daily medication.
Burnt cars and property raid led to grim discovery
The breakthrough in the case came after police located two burnt-out vehicles and raided an abandoned property in Dural, a suburb on Sydney's outskirts. The search led them to a nearby area in Pitt Town, where Baghsarian's remains were found.
Police condemn attack as "worst nightmare"
"The fact that an innocent man was taken from his home is not acceptable. These people need to be held to account for that."
Andrew Marks, Commander, New South Wales Robbery and Serious Crime Squad
