Two men have been arrested in connection to the alleged kidnapping and murder of Chris Baghsarian. Photo / NSW Police
The family of Chris Baghsarian have broken their silence after two men were arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping and murder of the grandfather, who was snatched from his home in North Sydney in a suspected case of mistaken identity.
The 85-year-old, who lived alone, was snatched from his home in North Ryde about 5am on February 13.
“Early inquiries established that Chris Baghsarian was not the intended target of the kidnapping,” police said.
His disappearance sparked a major search, with police finding his remains near Lynwood Golf Club in Pitt Town about 8am on Tuesday – about 45km from where he was kidnapped.
Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks said yesterday the remains were yet to be formally identified, but they believe they are of the missing 85-year-old.
“Although, the remains aren’t able to be positively identified, and there will be a formal process to try to identify those remains.”
About 6.30am Wednesday, detectives searched two homes in Kenthurst and Castle Hill.
There, they arrested two men – aged 29 and 24 – in connection to the man’s kidnapping and alleged murder.
They have been taken to Riverstone police station, where inquiries continue.
No charges have been laid.
In a statement issued via NSW Police, Baghsarian’s family said: “We welcome the news of the recent arrests in relation to the kidnapping of our father and grandfather”.
“As we continue attempting to come to terms with this incident, we ask that media respect our privacy,” they said.
Marks said he had spoken to Baghsarian’s family about the discovery of the 85-year-old’s remains.
“As you can understand, they are deeply upset,” he said.
“They have requested that you respect their privacy in this time.”
Following his kidnapping on February 13, detectives discovered a “makeshift stronghold” at an abandoned property in semi-rural Dural, where they believe Baghsarian was held for some time.
Marks said the property, which was set back from the street, was “derelict” and uninhabited.
“Nobody lives there,” he said.
“It was a suspicious house among other properties in that area that led us to that premises.”
Officers said they patrolled the paddocks in the surrounding areas in search for Baghsarian.
On Monday, police revealed a partially burned-out car, which was found on February 16, and had been forensically linked to Baghsarian and the abandoned property in Dural.
The grey Corolla was allegedly stolen on February 13.
Police say the car had cloned number plates before it was found partially burned-out.
The grim discovery followed reports from the Daily Telegraph suggesting the man believed to be the real target of the botched kidnapping in Sydney’s north was a relative of Dimitri Stepanyan - a self-described entrepreneur and one-time criminal.
The man used to live in the same street as Baghsarian and messaged the Sydney businessman hours after the kidnapping.
The family of the intended target were sent a video showing the hostage’s face covered and hands tied with duct tape.
However, the target’s family did not recognise Baghsarian, and sent a response.
“Dumb dumb error, how did use [sic] get the wrong house,” a text message sent to the kidnappers read.
“My old man would have blown your head off,” another read.
Another message to the kidnappers read: “Good luck, one of your team will give you up”.
Marks said Baghsarian’s family did not receive a ransom or demand after the abduction of the elderly man, and were “devastated” by the kidnapping.
“This is not the world they live in, it’s taken them by shock,” he said.
“They’re anxious, they’re devastated, and they want some answers. That is what we are here for today – to try and get them more answers.”
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