Authorities in New South Wales have announced the discovery of human remains, which they suspect belong to missing 85-year-old grandfather, Chris Baghsarian.

During a recent press conference, Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks stated that forensic tests will be conducted to confirm the identity of the remains. He noted that Baghsarian’s family is “deeply upset” and has requested privacy during this difficult time.

Marks also emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation, expressing shock and anger that such an event could happen to an innocent individual.

In an effort to gather more information, police are reaching out to the public for any details regarding a grey Toyota Corolla that was reportedly seen in the vicinity on February 14, near where the body was discovered.

Earlier on Tuesday, investigators uncovered the remains close to a golf club in Pitt Town.

This historic town is located roughly a 30-minute drive from Dural, where, just last Friday, police discovered the kidnappers’ makeshift base in an abandoned house that was concealed from the main road.

Pitt Town is around 60km north-west of Sydney’s CBD.

“Following extensive inquiries, about 8am today, detectives located what is believed to be human remains near a golf club in Pitt Town,” NSW police said in a statement.

Baghsarian was abducted by three men from his bedroom at his home in North Ryde around 5am on 13 February. The men stormed the home and bundled him into an SUV.

Police repeatedly told the kidnappers they had taken the wrong person and publicly urged them to release the elderly man, who relied on daily medication.

Police say the Baghsarian had no links to organised crime.

No arrests have been made over the kidnapping of the widower, who has lived alone for about four years.

Searches in recent days focused on semi-rural areas on Sydney’s northern outskirts after a car linked to the kidnapping was seen in the area.

“This whole case has not been our normal kind of investigation in relation to kidnapping and a hostage,” lead police investigator Andrew Marks told reporters earlier on Monday.

Baghsarian’s family spoke out in a statement last week, calling the widower “the kindest person we know — someone who would never hurt a fly”.

“Our family is living through a nightmare we never thought possible.”

This is a developing story and this article will be updated.

— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.

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