Heartbreaking Confirmation Looms: NSW Premier Condemns ‘Brutality’ as Human Remains Found in Search for Kidnapped Grandfather Chris Baghsarian

By Grok News Desk Sydney, February 24, 2026 – NSW Premier Chris Minns has described the discovery of suspected human remains linked to missing 85-year-old grandfather Chris Baghsarian as “an incredibly tragic development,” vowing that police will pursue those responsible with unrelenting determination. The grim find near a golf club in Pitt Town this morning has shifted the 11-day investigation from a desperate search for a living victim to a full-scale homicide probe, amid revelations that a car forensically tied to Baghsarian was spotted in the area just one day after his abduction.

The remains were located around 8am on Tuesday during an intensive ground search in the semi-rural north-western fringes of Sydney, close to Lynwood Golf Club (also referred to as Linwood in some reports). Police have not yet formally identified the body due to its condition, but forensic examinations are underway to confirm it belongs to Baghsarian, who was snatched from his North Ryde home in the early hours of February 13.

1news.co.nz

Human remains found in search for kidnapped Sydney grandad

Chris Baghsarian, the gentle 85-year-old widower and devoted grandfather, whose disappearance shocked Sydney’s suburbs.

In a statement released today, Premier Minns expressed deep sorrow for the family: “While formal identification is still under way, this is an incredibly tragic development, and our thoughts are with the friends and family of Mr Baghsarian at this heartbreaking time. This kind of brutality has no place in our community. Police will not stop until they capture those responsible and bring them before the courts. The full weight of the law must come down on these people.”

abc.net.au

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NSW Premier Chris Minns addressing the media, condemning the violence and pledging justice for the innocent victim.

The case began as a shocking home invasion. Around 5am on Friday, February 13, up to three masked intruders forced entry into Baghsarian’s Blamey Street residence in North Ryde, bundling the elderly man—dressed in grey pajamas and a red-and-blue flannelette shirt—into a dark SUV. CCTV footage captured the terrifying moment, prompting an immediate statewide alert. Early police inquiries established it was a case of mistaken identity, with the kidnappers likely targeting someone linked to organized crime rather than the harmless widower who lived quietly alone.

Investigators believe Baghsarian’s body was dumped in the Pitt Town area within 40 hours of the abduction. Key evidence included a grey car forensically linked to the victim, sighted near the discovery site the day after the kidnapping. A burnt-out vehicle previously found also provided leads that directed search teams to the remote bushland off Pitt Town Bottoms Road.

dailytelegraph.com.au

Body of kidnapped grandfather Chris Baghsarian found near Sydney golf course | Daily Telegraph

Forensic officers at the crime scene near the golf club in Pitt Town, where a tent shields the area of the grim discovery.

Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks, from the Robbery & Serious Crime Squad, reiterated the dual priorities of the investigation under Strike Force Chobat: locating Baghsarian and identifying the perpetrators. While declining to detail progress, he noted police are working around the clock. The family, described as “deeply upset,” has requested privacy. In an earlier statement, relatives called the ordeal a “nightmare,” emphasizing Baghsarian’s kind nature: “He is deeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person we know – someone who would never hurt a fly.”

The suburban peace of North Ryde has been shattered, with neighbors mourning a man known for his gardening and family devotion. The broader community has reacted with outrage, highlighting fears over organized crime’s spillover into innocent lives.

thenightly.com.au

Chris Baghsarian: Police reveal clues that led to discovery of body during search for kidnapped grandfather | The Nightly

Composite image showing Chris Baghsarian alongside police officers at the search site in the Pitt Town bushland.

As forensic testing continues and the crime scene remains active, authorities urge anyone with information to contact NSW Police or Crime Stoppers. The case underscores a chilling reality: a catastrophic error by criminals has claimed the life of an vulnerable elderly man, leaving a family grieving and a state demanding accountability.