rki.news

SYDNEY, Australia • 25 February 2026 : Australian police have arrested two men in connection with the murder of 85-year-old widower Chris Baghsarian, who was mistakenly kidnapped from his North Ryde home on 13 February.
Police confirmed that Baghsarian was not the intended target, with local media reporting that the abduction may have been aimed at a family linked to organised crime. Forensic testing identified human remains found near a golf course on the city outskirts as belonging to Baghsarian.
The arrested men, aged 24 and 29, are expected to be charged. Both were previously known to authorities for minor offences. Investigators believe additional individuals were involved in the kidnapping and murder, and further arrests are likely.
Baghsarian’s family welcomed news of the arrests and requested privacy. In the immediate aftermath of the abduction, police made multiple appeals for his safe return, noting his serious health conditions and daily medication needs. Authorities emphasized that neither Baghsarian nor his family had links to organised crime, and expressed certainty that the wrong person had been taken.
Police investigations included raids on an abandoned property in Dural and the discovery of two burnt-out vehicles, leading them to Pitt Town, where the remains were located. Authorities have urged witnesses who may have seen anything near the golf course on 14 February to come forward.
Mistaken identity cases have become increasingly common in Sydney, with organised crime networks reportedly subcontracting violent acts, highlighting a growing public safety concern in the city.