Chris Baghsarian: police hopes fade of finding 85-year-old kidnap victim alive after raid on Dural property

The Guardian World

by Caitlin Cassidy

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

NSW police are losing hope of finding 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian alive after a raid on a derelict property in Dural, where they believe he may have been held following his abduction last week. Baghsarian was taken from his North Ryde home in a case of mistaken identity, and authorities executed a warrant at the semi-rural Wildthorn Ave address, establishing it as a crime scene. The property, described as an abandoned and dilapidated “makeshift stronghold,” is located about 36 kilometers northwest of Sydney. The investigation began after Baghsarian was kidnapped last Friday, likely due to confusion over his identity. Police raided the Dural property on Thursday night, searching for any evidence linking it to the suspect or victim’s whereabouts. The area has since been cordoned off, with officers continuing their search efforts amid concerns about the grandfather’s safety. Baghsarian’s abduction and the subsequent police operation highlight the challenges of mistaken-identity crimes and the lengths suspects may go to躲避 authorities. The case also underscores the importance of thorough background checks and communication in preventing such incidents. As hope fades for Baghsarian’s safe return, the focus remains on identifying those responsible and ensuring similar cases are prevented in the future.

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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/20/2026