Police Identify Vacant Sydney House Where Kidnapped Grandfather Was Held
Police have identified a vacant house in Sydney's northwest where they believe a mistakenly kidnapped 85-year-old grandfather was held captive. The elderly man, Chris Baghsarian, remains missing after being abducted from his North Ryde home last Friday.
Disturbing Kidnapping Details
Chris Baghsarian was violently dragged from his North Ryde residence by three men and forced into an SUV around 5am last Friday morning. Despite police appeals for his release, with authorities stating they were "a million per cent confident" the kidnappers had targeted the wrong man, Baghsarian has not been returned to his family.
Detectives swarmed a property on Wildthorn Avenue in the semi-rural suburb of Dural about 7pm on Thursday, believing it was where the grandfather had been kept for some time. Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks confirmed that images and videos circulating online helped police identify the specific house.
Shocking Evidence and Property Details
Disturbing footage has emerged showing Baghsarian bloodied, tied up, and with a shirt wrapped around his head. Another image appears to show one of his fingers severed, indicating the severity of his ordeal.
"We've been following a trail of evidence that we believe identifies or implicates people that may be involved," Marks stated. "We've used those leads, along with information we've received from the community, which led us to the Dural area."
The property is a vacant, derelict house that had been abandoned for several years and is not visible from the street. Police believe the location was used as a makeshift stronghold by the kidnappers.
The sprawling residence, last sold in 2017 for more than $3.7 million, includes:
- A triple-garage
- Home theatre
- In-ground pool with waterfall feature
- Seven bedrooms across three locations on the two-hectare property
- A self-contained cottage
Fading Hope and Family Anguish
Marks described locating the house as a "significant progression" in the investigation but admitted hope was fading of finding Baghsarian alive. "It's been seven days now, so hope is fading," he said. "We have grave concerns for his safety, but we won't give up trying to find him alive."
Authorities fear Baghsarian's life may be at risk without his daily medication, adding urgency to the search efforts.
In a heartbreaking statement released on Tuesday, his family expressed their devastation: "Our family is living through a nightmare we never thought possible. Chris's kidnapping feels surreal, and 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."
The family described Baghsarian as "a devoted father, brother, uncle, and grandfather" who is "deeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person we know — someone who would never hurt a fly."
Investigation Continues
Marks reiterated that Baghsarian and his family have no links to criminal or underworld activity, reinforcing the belief that this was a case of mistaken identity. No ransom has been demanded, leaving police to appeal directly to the kidnappers to return the grandfather to a safe location.
Police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything relating to the kidnapping, or any suspicious activity in the Dural area since last Friday, to come forward immediately. Authorities are particularly interested in dashcam footage that might provide additional clues.
The investigation continues as detectives work to gather more evidence to identify those responsible and determine Baghsarian's current whereabouts.
