Man bought body bag on Amazon week before murder: Police
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Insets, left to right: Audrik Matevosian, Robert Boyajian (Maderna County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Mojave Desert cave where Matevosian allegedly hid Boyajian’s body (MCSO).

A 21-year-old man in California has been arrested for allegedly killing his 75-year-old boss a week after authorities said he purchased a body bag from Amazon.

Audrik Matevosian is charged with one count of first-degree murder with three special circumstances and grand theft in the slaying of Robert “Bob” Boyajian, authorities announced.

According to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, deputies at about 5 p.m. on Monday, July 14, responded to a welfare check request on Boyajian after receiving a call from one of his employees who stated that he had missed an appointment and she was unable to reach him, which she described as “extremely unusual based on his consistent behavior.”

Authorities said Boyajian was “a respected Bass Lake resident” and “beloved” real estate professional. Madera County is in the central part of the Golden State.

Upon arriving at the address, deputies discovered Boyajian’s only vehicle in the garage and his briefcase and Apple Watch — which “he reportedly always wore” — inside the home while his cellphone, wallet, and bedding were all missing. While there were no overt signs of foul play, the “totality of the circumstances” appeared “very out of character” for Boyajian, Sheriff Tyson Pogue said during a news briefing.

Authorities attempted to access the victim’s home security cameras and spoke to Matevosian, who they said had previously performed IT work for Boyajian. Matevosian provided investigators with information purportedly to help investigators access the cameras, including passwords and which apps to download, but they were still unable to see the footage.

At one point, Matevosian allegedly provided investigators a screenshot apparently allegedly showing that the system was offline. He then directed deputies to a specific location in closet where a DVR should be located.

“However, the DVR was missing, which escalated our suspicions,” Pogue said.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for Boyajian’s financial records and surveillance footage revealed that at about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, someone withdrew $1,000 from Boyajian’s account at an ATM in Clovis, California, which is just under 50 miles from Boyajian’s home. Surveillance footage from the area allegedly showed that Matevosian was the individual who made the withdrawal along with two additional failed attempts.

Multiple images of Matevosian were taken at the ATM and authorities received two tips connecting Matevosian to the alleged murder.

Matevosian allegedly withdrawing funds from Boyajian's account (MCSO).

Matevosian allegedly withdrawing funds from Boyajian’s account (MCSO).

Investigators on July 16 executed a search warrant on the home Matevosian shared with his parents and recovered two firearms from Matevosian’s room. One had been reported stolen in March and the other belonged to the victim.

Matevosian agreed to speak with detectives and allegedly confessed to the murder.

“During that interview, Matevosian repeatedly referred to Mr. Boyajian in the past tense, which raised some concerns” Pogue said. “At first he claimed Mr. Boyajian had committed suicide, then he changed his story, saying Mr. Boyajian [had] requested he assist him in ending his life. Ultimately, he confessed to killing Mr. Boyajian around midnight on Saturday and then driving his body to the Mojave desert, where he buried him in a cave.”

Pogue continued, saying that Matevosian was motivated to commit the “premeditated homicide” by his resentment of Boyajian, whom he claimed had “spoken disparagingly about his family,” and by financial gain.

Further indicating his allegedly planning, Matevosian “purchased a bodybag from Amazon” at least a week before the alleged murder, Pogue said. Matevosian also allegedly rented a vehicle on Saturday and called Boyajian to ensure he was home. He then reportedly went to Boyajian’s home and spent the night, which authorities was not unusual, as Boyajian was said to have treated Matevosian and his brother like they were his grandchildren.

Matevosian allegedly murdered Boyajian at around midnight.

“He wrapped the body in the bedding, placed it in the bodybag, and transported him to the Mojave desert,” Pogue said. “Upon his return to Fresno, he used Boyajian’s ATM card to withdraw the $1,000.”

The Mojave National Preserve is located in San Bernardino County, nearly 400 miles south of Madera County.

Investigators say they followed Matevosian’s instructions and located the body precisely where he said it would be. Matevosian apparently told detectives that Boyajian had taken him to that location previously on a trip using recreational vehicles.

The victim’s wallet was recovered from Matevosian’s locker at a gym in Fresno.

Matevosian is currently being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on July 28.

 

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