Australian police have found the probable remains of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, who was kidnapped from his home in North Ryde on February 13. The kidnapping is considered a case of mistaken identity. Before the remains were found, police revealed that evidence related to the victim had been discovered in a burnt-out car. Intensive investigations are underway under the supervision of the New South Wales police.

Remains found near Sydney

The New South Wales state police found probable human remains near a golf course in Pitt Town, on the outskirts of Sydney.

Kidnapping was a mistake

The incident occurred on February 13 before dawn. Masked perpetrators forcibly took the 85-year-old widower from his home in North Ryde.

Evidence in burnt-out car

Forensic traces linked to Baghsarian were discovered earlier in a burnt-out Toyota Corolla found in Westmead.

Appeals for public help

Police urged people with CCTV footage from the Westmead area to share it to assist in the investigation.

Australian authorities reported on Tuesday, February 24, the probable discovery of the remains of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian. The man was kidnapped from his home in the northern Sydney suburb of North Ryde in the early morning of February 13. Surveillance footage showed a group of masked men forcibly putting him into a large SUV. From the beginning, the investigation has centered on the hypothesis that this was a case of mistaken identity. In Australia, kidnappings for ransom or as part of criminal settlements are relatively rare compared to other types of crimes against property and life. However, in the 1990s, there were several high-profile cases of businessman kidnappings that influenced police methods in this area.The remains were found in the Pitt Town area, on the northwestern outskirts of the Sydney metropolitan area, near a golf course. Information about their discovery emerged after police, the day before on Monday, February 23, revealed the existence of another significant piece of evidence. This involves a burnt-out grey Toyota Corolla, which was found on Tuesday, February 17, in the Westmead suburb. It was there that forensic technicians secured traces linked to the kidnapped man. In connection with this, Acting Detective Superintendent Andrew Marks publicly appealed for the release of CCTV footage that could show the movement of this vehicle. The investigation is being led by the New South Wales (NSW) Police Force. Although the identity of the found remains has not yet been formally confirmed, police express confidence that they belong to the missing man. No information has been provided so far about the possible motives of the perpetrators or whether there are specific suspects. The case has shocked the local community of North Ryde, a quiet, suburban area. A further, intensive investigation is ongoing to clarify all the circumstances of this dramatic kidnapping and the subsequent death of the elderly man.

Mentioned People

  • Chris Baghsarian — 85-year-old kidnapping victim, a widower from North Ryde in Sydney.
  • Andrew Marks — Acting Detective Superintendent with the New South Wales Police, leading the appeal for footage.