brisbane, australia
—
While US police conduct a massive search for missing Nancy Guthrie, a family in Australia faces their own disappearance, this time with a tragic ending. An 85-year-old grandfather was kidnapped from his modest home in a Sydney suburb and found dead in what police say was a mistaken identity.
Chris Bagsarian, a widow who lives alone, was ripped from her bed on the morning of February 13 by attackers who were targeting another man. Detectives believe he intended to target another man.
“I believe the intended target was to have been kidnapped and held for ransom,” Acting Detective Superintendent Andrew Marks told reporters on Wednesday.
In a series of press conferences, New South Wales Police immediately warned the kidnappers of their mistake and urged them to abandon the grandfather in a safe location.
Instead, a video was released showing the elderly man tied up in what was later revealed to be an abandoned derelict property in the Sydney suburb of Dural, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from his home.
By the time police located and searched the area, Bagsarian was gone.
Days after his disappearance, the man’s family released a statement describing the situation as a “surrealistic nightmare.”
“We are struggling to come to terms with the fact that he was taken away and that our family was involved in events that had 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.”
On Wednesday, police confirmed that Mr Bagsarian’s body had been found the day before near a golf course in Sydney’s western countryside. An autopsy is expected to determine the cause of death.
“That’s somebody’s worst nightmare, right?” Marks told reporters. “The fact that an innocent man was taken from his home is unacceptable.”
“These people need to be held accountable.”
Less than 24 hours after Baghsarian’s body was discovered, police raided two premises, arrested two men, aged 24 and 29, and seized items allegedly linked to Baghsarian’s murder.
Video released by police shows tactical units pulling up to a large house in a Sydney suburb in an SUV, jumping over a fence and banging on the front door to gain entry.
A woman’s screams can be heard inside. Officers then escorted the barefoot and disheveled man to a waiting police van. Another man was arrested in a separate raid and is expected to face similar charges of kidnapping and murder.
“We will argue in court that these men participated in a joint criminal plot with others to kidnap Mr. Bagsarian,” Marks said.
Police believe at least three people were involved in the abduction and fatal incident, and plan to make more arrests.
His 85-year-old grandfather, Chris Bagsarian, was taken from his home on February 13th and was found dead on February 24th.
Australian National University visiting researcher and criminologist Clarke Jones said kidnappings were rare in Australia, but even more so when the victim had no criminal record to suggest they had been targeted. “In past situations, people are liberated when they realize the other person is wrong,” he says.
He said technology had made it easier for criminal groups to conceal their activities and coordinate their actions from anywhere in Australia or the world.
“The more law enforcement cracks down on this type of crime, the more police will try to avoid detection of all kinds of crimes,” he says.
Bagsarian’s family has asked for privacy as they process the disturbing events of the past two weeks.
“These are extremely dire times, and we need the space to support each other and focus on getting through what comes next,” they said in a statement.
