Two more young men have been charged over the alleged murder of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian. The 85-year-old was allegedly kidnapped from his home in North Ryde and killed in a case of mistaken identity in February.
Latest Arrests
A 19-year-old man and a 23-year-old man have been charged with murder and take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasioning actual bodily harm. They were arrested on Tuesday and refused bail to face Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday. The 19-year-old, arrested in Shalvey, was also charged with failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction.
These charges come after four other young men — aged 19, 23, 24, and 29 — were previously charged with murder and kidnapping and remain before the courts.
The Kidnapping and Murder
Chris Baghsarian was allegedly taken from his North Ryde home in February. The elderly man was reportedly tortured on camera, with footage sent to the intended target’s family. However, Baghsarian was not released when the video recipient, who has alleged underworld links, said they did not recognise him. His body was found near a golf course in Pitt Town 11 days after he disappeared.
Messages seen by 7NEWS appeared to show the kidnappers communicating with the family of their allegedly intended target. One message reportedly called the kidnappers’ mistake a "dumb dumb error," asking "How did you get the wrong house?"
Family's Ordeal
Baghsarian’s family described the ordeal as like "living through a nightmare that we never thought possible." They told 7NEWS the kidnapping felt "surreal" and they were struggling to make sense of being "caught up in something that has nothing to do with us." They said, "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."
Investigation Breakthrough
Police released CCTV footage showing a dark Toyota ute pulling into Northcott St in North Ryde before Baghsarian was taken. He is believed to have been held in a vacant house on Wildthorn Ave in Dural. Detectives swarmed the home seven days into their search but found it empty. The discovery of the suspected stronghold was a major breakthrough, but hopes of finding Baghsarian alive were fading.
His remains were found on February 24 near a secluded section of a Pitt Town golf course. Baghsarian was farewelled in a private funeral and laid to rest at Macquarie Park Cemetery in North Ryde.
NSW Police Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks said at the time that both police and the public were furious that "this would happen to an innocent man." He added, "We're outraged that this is happening and the recklessness of these people. We will endeavour and use every resource that we have to identify those responsible and bring them before the courts."
