SYDNEY, 22 February 2026 – New South Wales Police have intensified their search for 85-year-old grandfather Chris Baghsarian, who has been missing for nine days following what investigators describe as a horrific case of mistaken identity. As of Sunday, police helicopters and specialist squads have been deployed to multiple locations across Sydney’s north-west as grave concerns for his safety continue to mount.
Timeline of Events
Mr Baghsarian was abducted from his home in North Ryde in the early hours of Friday, 13 February 2026. Detectives believe three men forced their way into the property around 5:00 am, bundling the octogenarian into a dark-coloured SUV. Police have stated they are “a million per cent certain” that Mr Baghsarian was not the intended target and was snatched by criminals looking for a different individual linked to Sydney’s underworld.
In the days following the abduction, a distressing hostage video surfaced. The footage reportedly shows Mr Baghsarian being beaten and forced to film a message directed at a gangland figure. Chilling reports have also emerged suggesting the captors may have tortured the elderly man, with some images allegedly showing severe physical injuries.
Latest Investigative Breakthroughs
Within the last 48 hours, the investigation has shifted focus toward the semi-rural suburb of Dural. On Friday, 20 February, police located a derelict property believed to have served as a “hideout” where Mr Baghsarian was held. Forensic teams seized evidence suggesting he had been at the location within the past week, though he was not found on the premises.
Today, 22 February, investigators confirmed they are looking into a potential link between the kidnapping and two suspicious car fires. A burnt-out stolen vehicle found recently is being forensically examined to determine if it was the SUV used in the initial North Ryde abduction.
Case Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Chris Baghsarian |
| Age | 85 |
| Date of Abduction | 13 February 2026 |
| Location Taken | North Ryde, Sydney |
| Key Search Area | Dural, NSW |
| Status | Missing (Grave concerns for welfare) |
Public and Political Reaction
The case has sparked widespread outrage across Australia. The NSW Premier has made a direct appeal to the kidnappers, urging them to release Mr Baghsarian at a safe location, such as a shopping centre or hospital, without further harm. Family members have described the ordeal as a “living nightmare,” pleading with the abductors to recognise that they have the wrong man and to show mercy given his advanced age and frailty.
Police are continuing to appeal for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the North Ryde or Dural areas between 13 February and 22 February to contact Crime Stoppers immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do police believe this was mistaken identity?
NSW Police confirmed that Mr Baghsarian has no links to criminal activity. Evidence suggests the kidnappers intended to target a family member of a known crime figure but entered the wrong residence or misidentified the occupant.
Has there been a ransom demand?
While a hostage video was sent to a specific family associated with Sydney’s underworld, it is understood that the video was intended as a threat to those individuals rather than a standard ransom demand to Mr Baghsarian’s actual family.
Where was the crime scene found?
Detectives from the Robbery & Serious Crime Squad established a crime scene at a property in Dural, approximately 20km from the victim’s home, after receiving intelligence that he had been held there shortly after the kidnapping.