Authorities in Sydney’s north believe they have discovered the body of Chris Baghsarian, a grandfather who was reportedly the victim of a failed kidnapping.
On Tuesday morning, around 8 a.m., investigators revealed they had located human remains near Linwood Golf Club in Pitt Town, approximately 46 kilometers from the site of Baghsarian’s abduction.
“We suspect these remains belong to Mr. Baghsarian,” stated Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks.
“However, we cannot yet confirm this identity. A formal procedure will be conducted to verify the remains.”
“I have communicated with Mr. Baghsarian’s family. Understandably, they are devastated,” he continued.
“The family has asked for privacy during this difficult period.”
The 85-year-old was snatched from his home in North Ryde by a group of masked intruders in the early hours of February 13.
Police launched a massive search for Baghsarian, who they believe was kidnapped in a case of mistaken identity.
The area where Baghsarian was found has been declared a crime scene.
“It’s a current and active crime scene and we will investigate that and we’ll investigate that thoroughly and methodically,” Detective Marks said.
He appealed to anyone with information to contact them, especially in regard to a grey Toyota which is central to their investigations.
“We are aware that the vehicle that we made an appeal on yesterday was in that vicinity at 5 p.m. on Saturday, 14 February, two weekends ago,” Detective Marks said.
“It was very close to the Linwood golf course.
“We asked that anyone in area around that time that may have seen that car or suspicious in that area to police at Crime Stoppers on 180333000.
“No matter how small the information you think is, please contact us and we’ll investigate the information that you have.”
He said police would use “every resource” to find those responsible.
“I speak for not only the police but the public in general that we’re outraged this is happening and the recklessness of these people,” Detective Marks said.
“What I can say is that endeavor and use every resource that we have to identify responsible and bring them before the courts.”
The grim discovery was made ten days after he was snatched from the house, with detectives fearing he would not be found alive.
Last week, Detective Marks said their concerns grew “every day”.
“It’s not a great feeling we have in relation to his health and his survival, so every day for us is of important,” he said.
On Monday, police revealed a partially burnt-out car, which was found on February 16, and had been forensically linked to Baghsarian and the abandoned property in Dural.
The grey Corolla had Victorian registration plates 12Z2BU and was allegedly stolen on February 13.
Police say the car had cloned number plates DVT 007 before it was found partially burnt out.
Days before the burnt-out car was found, police discovered a “makeshift stronghold” at an abandoned property in Dural, where they believe Baghsarian was held.
Inspector Marks told reporters they believed he had been held there “at some stage” during the kidnapping.
He said the property, which was located back from the street, was “derelict” and uninhabited.
“Nobody lives there,” he said.
“It was a suspicious house among other properties in that area that led us to that premises.”
Police said they’d spent the past few days patrolling paddocks in Glenorie, about 15 minutes from where police found the human remains.
The grim discovery comes after reports from The Daily Telegraph suggest the man believed to be the real target of the botched kidnapping in Sydney’s north had been identified as Dimitri Stepanyan — a self-described entrepreneur and one-time criminal.
The outlet reported the intended target of the kidnapping was supposed to be a relative of Stepanyan, who used to live on the same street as Baghsarian and messaged the Sydney businessman hours after the kidnapping.
The family of the intended target was sent a video showing the hostage’s face covered and hands tied with duct tape.
However, the target’s family did not recognize Baghsarian, and sent a response.
“Dumb dumb error, how did use (sic) get the wrong house,” a text message sent to the kidnappers read.
“My old man would have blown your head off,” another read.
Another message to the kidnappers read: “Good luck, one of your team will give you up.”
Baghsarian’s family said they never received a ransom or demand from the kidnappers.
Superintendent Marks said the elderly man’s family was “devastated” by the kidnapping.
“This is not the world they live in, it’s taken them by shock,” he said.
“They’re anxious, they’re devastated, and they want some answers. That is what we are here for today — to try and get them more answers,” he said.
Stepanyan, 37, is the owner of multiple businesses, including streetwear brand Proper, which he said was “inspired by Sydney’s dynamic street scene and global fashion trends.”
On his website, which has since been shut for “maintenance,” Stepanyan described himself as a “forward-thinking entrepreneur dedicated to building brands, creating opportunities, and inspiring the next generation of business leaders”.
“Whether through collaborations, mentorship, or new business ventures, Dimitri is always striving for the next big breakthrough,” the website read.
His streetwear brand, Proper, sells t-shirts, shorts and accessories and features models with their faces pixelated.
Proper Streetwear is a popular brand among alleged members of the Alameddine crime network, including rapper Ali Younes — AKA Ay Huncho — whose former home in Merrylands was peppered with bullets in September 2025.
The phrase “never cross the family” is often featured on the clothing and is allegedly linked to the Alameddine network.
Stepanyan was sentenced to ten years in prison for the armed robbery of Forestville RSL Club in 2009, where he stole more than $25,000.
He was released from prison in October 2016 after serving seven of his ten-year sentence.
