Chris Baghsarian: Police reveal clues that led to discovery of body during search for kidnapped grandfather
Police have revealed the key clues that led them to the discovery of a body during their search for the Sydney grandfather at the centre of a botched kidnapping.
Police have confirmed they believe human remains found during the search for botched kidnapping victim Chris Baghsarian are those of the Sydney grandfather.
However, an autopsy and further forensic testing will be required before a positive identification can be made.
Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks said he had spoken to the 85-year-old’s family about the discovery and they were “deeply upset”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.He revealed it was information about suspicious activity gained during a canvas of the public that led detectives to the body near the Lynwood Golf and Country Club in Pitt Town around 8am on Tuesday morning.
Mr Baghsarian was abducted from his North Ryde home on February 13 in what investigators believe was a tragic case of mistaken identity, with the kidnappers targeting the wrong person.
A photo and video was reportedly sent to the intended target, Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, whose relatives the kidnappers were intending to target, The Daily Telegraph reports.
It is believed Mr Stepanyan used to live on the same street as Mr Baghsarian.
Mr Marks said a 2022 Toyota Corolla linked to a vacant Dural address, which police previously identified as the kidnapper’s “makeshift stronghold”, and later found burnt out in Westmead on Monday was also key in locating the remains.
It is believed Mr Baghsarian was held at the Dural property and assaulted.
“We’ve traced that vehicle that we suspect was involved and that can forensically link the vehicle to Mr Baghsarian, and to the stronghold that we have spoken about in Dural. Putting that together is why we believe it’s Mr Baghsarian,” he said.
Mr Marks said the manhunt for the kidnappers was still underway.
“It is still an active investigation and we have police working around the clock.”
Mr Marks described the actions of the offenders as “outrageous”.
“I suppose I speak for not only the police but the public in general that we’re outraged this is happening and the recklessness of these people.
“What I can say is that we will endeavour to use every resource that we have to identify responsible. And bring them before the courts.”
He said police had been working 24 hours a day to find innocent victim Mr Baghsarian and track down those responsible.
In a statement issued last week before the body was discovered, Mr Baghsarian’s family said they were living through a “nightmare we never thought possible”.
“Chris’s kidnapping feels surreal, and we are struggling to make sense of the fact that he has been taken and that our family has been caught up in something that has nothing to do with us.
“Chris is a devoted father, brother, uncle, and grandfather. He is deeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person we know – someone who would never hurt a fly.”
