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The search for a missing grandfather who was accidentally kidnapped from his residence has possibly reached a devastating conclusion.
During the investigation into the disappearance of Chris Baghsarian, Australian officials reported on February 24 the discovery of what appear to be human remains near a golf course in Pitt Town. This information was shared in a statement issued by NSW Police.
The 85-year-old was abducted from his North Ryde home shortly after 5 a.m. on February 13 in what authorities have termed a “mistaken kidnapping.”
Police investigations revealed that Chris Baghsarian was not the intended target and was taken due to a mix-up in identity.
Authorities are currently in the process of verifying if the remains found adjacent to the golf course are indeed those of Baghsarian.
“We suspect those remains to be Mr. Baghsarian,” said Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks, per 7NEWS. “There will be a formal process to try and identify those remains, there will be a forensic examination of the remains.”
Suspicious Car Fires, Abandoned Home Linked to Chris Baghsarian Kidnapping
Police believe the intended target of the early morning kidnapping, according to multiple local media reports, was likely either a man with a criminal past and ties to a well-known organized crime family or his relatives.
Investigators believe that Baghsarian was taken in a case of mistaken identity.
Authorities believe the grandfather was held for a period of time and tortured at an abandoned home used as a makeshift stronghold in Dural—after videos began to surface seemingly showing him being tied up and assaulted, per 7News.
Police have also connected two “suspicious vehicle fires” in Westmead to the case, according to a statement, including a partially destroyed 2022 Toyota Corolla with the Victorian registration “1UZ2BU.”
Investigators tied the Corolla, which was reported stolen Jan. 13, to the Dural residence, which police confirmed was “linked to the kidnapping.”
Officers allegedly found a blood-stained carpet in the trunk of the car believed to come from the abandoned home in Dural, Australia’s ABC news outlet reported.
Marks told the news station the vehicle was also seen “very near” the golf club where the remains were ultimately discovered.
To date, no arrests have been made in the case.
“We’re all outraged this would happen to an innocent man,” Marks said. “We will continue to investigate to identify those responsible and bring them before the courts.”
Chris Baghsarian’s Family “Very Upset”
Following the discovery of the remains, Marks told ABC that Baghsarian’s family is “very upset” and has asked for privacy.
In a statement released Feb. 17, the family described the kidnapping as “surreal” and “a nightmare we never thought possible.”
“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,” they continued, per ABC. “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.”