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In Brief
- NSW Police say they have found human remains in north-west Sydney.
- They will continue to investigate the kidnapping of 85-year-old grandfather Chris Baghsarian.
NSW Police Suspect Human Remains Found Are Those of Missing Elderly Grandfather
Authorities in New South Wales suspect that human remains discovered may belong to Chris Baghsarian, an 85-year-old grandfather who has been missing. During a press briefing, Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks announced that forensic examinations will be conducted to confirm whether the remains are indeed Baghsarian’s. He mentioned that the family is “profoundly distressed” and has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Marks emphasized that the investigation is still active, expressing anger over the incident, stating, “We’re all outraged that such a tragedy could befall an innocent man.”
The police are reaching out to the community for any information regarding a grey Toyota Corolla that was spotted on February 14 in the vicinity where the remains were discovered.
Earlier on Tuesday, detectives located the remains near a golf course in Pitt Town.
The historic township is about 30 minutes by road from Dural, where investigators on Friday located the kidnappers’ makeshift stronghold in a vacant, derelict house back from street view.
Pitt Town is around 60km north-west of Sydney’s CBD.
“Following extensive inquiries, about 8am today, detectives located what is believed to be human remains near a golf club in Pitt Town,” NSW police said in a statement.
Baghsarian was abducted by three men from his bedroom at his home in North Ryde around 5am on 13 February. The men stormed the home and bundled him into an SUV.
Police repeatedly told the kidnappers they had taken the wrong person and publicly urged them to release the elderly man, who relied on daily medication.
Police say the Baghsarian had no links to organised crime.
No arrests have been made over the kidnapping of the widower, who has lived alone for about four years.
Searches in recent days focused on semi-rural areas on Sydney’s northern outskirts after a car linked to the kidnapping was seen in the area.
“This whole case has not been our normal kind of investigation in relation to kidnapping and a hostage,” lead police investigator Andrew Marks told reporters earlier on Monday.
Baghsarian’s family spoke out in a statement last week, calling the widower “the kindest person we know — someone who would never hurt a fly”.
“Our family is living through a nightmare we never thought possible.”
This is a developing story and this article will be updated.
— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.
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