Investigators Probe How Sydney Grandfather Was Kidnapped and Killed in Apparent Mistake

Human Remains Found After 11-Day Search

Police in Sydney have uncovered human remains believed to be those of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, the elderly grandfather who vanished after being abducted from his home in a case police now believe was a tragic mistaken identity kidnapping. Detectives located the suspected remains near a golf club in Pitt Town, on the city’s north-western outskirts, on 24 February 2026 after an 11-day search involving specialised units and extensive forensic work.

Forensic identification is still under way, but investigators are confident the remains belong to Baghsarian based on evidence linked to the scene and other key leads. The discovery came after a burn-out vehicle with ties to the investigation was found and examined by police.

The Abduction: Mistaken Target in Underworld Feud

Baghsarian was forcefully taken from his North Ryde home just after 5 am on 13 February, when three masked men allegedly bundled him into an SUV and drove off, sparking a desperate bid by family and authorities to locate him. Investigators now believe the kidnappers intended to seize a relative of an underworld-linked Sydney figure, but erroneously abducted Baghsarian instead — a widower with no known criminal connections.

Police believe the error occurred because the intended target lived on the same street, and the kidnappers may have been involved in disputes connected to organised crime. Messages exchanged among suspected perpetrators reportedly revealed their realisation that they had “taken the wrong person,” yet no ransom demand was ever received by Baghsarian’s family.

Forensic Breakthroughs and the Burnt-Out Vehicle

A critical breakthrough came when forensic evidence linked Baghsarian to a grey Toyota Corolla that had been set alight in Westmead days after his disappearance. The vehicle, believed stolen and fitted with cloned plates, was sighted in multiple locations near the time of the abduction and later linked to a makeshift stronghold in Dural, where police suspect Baghsarian may have been held.

Inside the burned-out car, authorities found items such as a blood-stained carpet and power tools, which helped them trace the vehicle’s movements and narrow the search area. That chain of evidence led officers to focus on bushland around Pitt Town Bottoms Road, where the suspected remains were ultimately located.

Police Vow to Find and Prosecute Perpetrators

New South Wales Police officials have expressed outrage at the apparent killing of an innocent man and have pledged to pursue the perpetrators with every available resource. Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks reiterated that investigators are combing CCTV footage, seeking public assistance for any dashcam or mobile recordings, and following up on reported sightings of suspect vehicles.

NSW Premier Chris Minns described the development as “incredibly tragic,” underlining that such violence has “no place in our community” and affirming that police will press forward to bring those responsible before the courts. Family members, meanwhile, have appealed for privacy as they mourn the loss of a beloved grandfather and community figure.

Community Shock and Wider Implications

The discovery has sent shockwaves through both the local community and the wider public, highlighting concerns about violent crime and the dangers posed by organised criminal networks — even to those with no ties to illicit activity. Residents of Pitt Town, traditionally a quiet semi-rural township, expressed disbelief that such a brutal incident unfolded in their midst.

Police investigations are continuing on multiple fronts. Autopsy results are expected to shed light on the exact circumstances and timing of Baghsarian’s death, while detectives follow up on leads regarding the suspects. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information — particularly relating to vehicles seen in the North Ryde, Glenorie, or Pitt Town areas in the days following the abduction — to come forward.