Police find human remains in search for Chris Baghsarian, 85, kidnapped from North Ryde home

Police have vowed to use ‘every resource’ to find the people who kidnapped and killed a beloved grandfather in a tragic case of mistaken identity.

Police believe they have found the body of grandfather, Chris Baghsarian, who was the victim of a suspected botched kidnapping in Sydney’s north.

About 8am on Tuesday, detectives announced they had found human remains near Linwood Golf Club in Pitt Town, about 46km from where Mr Baghsarian was kidnapped.

“We suspect those remains to be Mr Baghsarian,” Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks said.
“Although, the remains aren’t able to be positively identified, and there will be a formal process to try to identify those remains.

Police believe they have found the body of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, kidnapped in a case of mistaken identity. Picture: NSW Police
“I have spoken to the family of Mr Baghsarian, and as you can understand, they are deeply upset.

“They have requested that you respect their privacy in this time.”

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 Mr Baghsarian, who they believe was kidnapped in a case of mistaken identity.

Human remains were found in Pitt Town on Tuesday morning.
The area where Mr 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.

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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 5pm 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.”

Human remains have been found in search for Chris Baghsarian. picture: 7News
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 endeavour and use every resource that we have to identify responsible and bring them before the courts.”

The grim discovery was made 10 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 “everyday”.

“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 Mr 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.

The car was found partially burnt-out. Picture: NSW Police
Days before the burnt-out car was found, police discovered a “makeshift stronghold” at an abandoned property in Dural, where they believe Mr 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” an 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.

Police have desperately searched for the missing man. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers
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, used to live in the same street as Mr Baghsarian and messaged the Sydney businessman hours after the kidnapping.

“I have spoken to the family of Mr Baghsarian, and as you can understand, they are deeply upset.

“They have requested that you respect their privacy in this time.”

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 Mr Baghsarian, who they believe was kidnapped in a case of mistaken identity.

Human remains were found in Pitt Town on Tuesday morning.
The area where Mr 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 5pm 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.”

Human remains have been found in search for Chris Baghsarian. picture: 7News
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 endeavour and use every resource that we have to identify responsible and bring them before the courts.”

The grim discovery was made 10 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 “everyday”.

“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 Mr 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.

The car was found partially burnt-out. Picture: NSW Police
Days before the burnt-out car was found, police discovered a “makeshift stronghold” at an abandoned property in Dural, where they believe Mr 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” an 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.

Police have desperately searched for the missing man. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers
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, used to live in the same street as Mr Baghsarian and messaged the Sydney businessman hours after the kidnapping.

Police believe they have found the body of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, kidnapped in a case of mistaken identity. Picture: NSW Police
The family of the intended target were sent a video showing the hostage’s face covered and hands tied with duct tape.

However, the target’s family did not recognise Mr 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.”

Mr Baghsarian’s family said they never received a ransom or demand from the kidnappers.

Superintendent Marks said the elderly man’s family were “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.

Dimitri Stepanyan is the suspected target of the kidnapping. Picture: Facebook
Mr 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”, Mr Stepanyan described himself as a “forward-thinking entrepreneur dedicated to building brands, creating opportunities, and inspiring the next generation of business leaders”.

Proper Streetwear is a popular brand worn by alleged underworld members in Sydney. Picture Supplied

The models have their faces pixelated in campaign images. Picture Supplied
“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 tshirts, 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 10 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 10-year sentence.