Pair charged with alleged murder of 'mistakenly-kidnapped' pensioner, 85

Two men have been charged with the alleged kidnap and murder of a pensioner in Sydney.

Police said the pair are due in court on Thursday in connection with the disappearance of Chris Baghsarian, 85, whose remains were discovered on Tuesday. The New South Wales (NSW) Police Force said that just after 5am on 13 February, they received a report that Mr Baghsarian had been kidnapped from his home in the suburb of North Ryde, around 9 miles (15km) northwest of Sydney city centre.

In a statement on Wednesday, police said: "Early inquiries established that Chris Baghsarian was not the intended target of the kidnapping and had been taken in a case of mistaken identity." "Human remains confirmed as being Mr Baghsarian were located about 8am yesterday (Tuesday 24 February 2026) near a golf club in Pitt Town," the force added. At about 6.30am on Wednesday, detectives supported by the Raptor Squad, which targets serious and organised crime, carried out three search warrants in Kenthurst, Castle Hill and Lake Macquarie.

Footage of the operation shows officers forcing their way into two properties and two men being arrested. A 29-year-old man was shown in handcuffs leaving a house in Kenthurst, and in Castle Hill, police detained a 24-year-old man.

Officers also seized vehicles, electronics and clothing. Read more from Sky News:Man jailed after stabbing girlPayouts for Swiss bar fire victimsTracking Putin's 'shadow fleet' Police from the State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad carried out the investigation.

Officers established Strike Force Chobat, specifically to coordinate the response to recover the 85-year-old. Both men were charged with murder and kidnapping and refused bail.

They are due to appear in Blacktown Local Court on Thursday..