Police are calling on the public for help identifying a man in relation to the alleged kidnapping and murder of Chris Baghsarian. The 85-year-old was allegedly taken from his home in North Ryde, Sydney, in the early hours of February 13.
A desperate 11-day search was launched for Baghsarian before his body was found abandoned on a property in Pitt Town, about 46km northwest of his home. Police allege he was not the intended target and was instead taken in a case of “mistaken identity”. Four people have already been charged over the alleged incident and remain before the courts.
Months later, detectives on Monday released images of another man they believe could aid ongoing investigations. The images show the man wearing a high-vis shirt and holding a sledgehammer inside a hardware store in Leppington about 7.30am on February 11. He is described as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance, between 175-185cm tall, with a medium build, long brown hair and a beard.
Anyone with information about the identity of the man, or regarding the alleged incident, has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Police believe up to nine people are involved in the alleged plot with investigators still determining who the masterminds were.
The family of the grandfather are “distraught”, according to Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks, who added the alleged incident was “still a shock”. “They’re appreciative of the police and the ongoing efforts,” he said in March. “They are aware that this investigation is ongoing and we will continue to identify others involved.”
