• Police find remains of elderly man after ‘mistaken’ kidnapping
• Investigation ongoing

Australian police have discovered human remains as part of their investigation into the disappearance of a Sydney grandfather who is believed to have been abducted in a case of mistaken identity nearly two weeks ago.

Chris Baghsarian, in his 80s, was taken from his North Ryde home before dawn on 13 February. CCTV footage showed several masked men forcing him into a dark SUV.

Authorities believe the kidnapping was likely a case of wrong identity. Local media reported that the intended target may have been a man linked to an organized crime family, or one of his relatives.

Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks said the incident had sparked widespread outrage, describing it as a reckless act against an innocent man. He added that investigators are now focused on formally identifying the remains and determining how a retired grandfather became caught up in a crime apparently aimed at someone else.

Police confirmed Baghsarian’s identity about 36 hours after the abduction and issued urgent public appeals for his safe return, stressing that neither he nor his family had any ties to organized crime.

No official ransom demand was received, though images and videos circulated within Sydney’s criminal circles allegedly showed Baghsarian injured and still wearing the pajamas he had on when he was taken. A reported A$50 million ransom demand was directed at a man who previously lived nearby.

The investigation later uncovered two burned vehicles in another suburb, which were linked to an abandoned property in Dural. Evidence found there helped move the case forward.

On Tuesday morning, police confirmed human remains had been found near a golf course in Pitt Town, on Sydney’s outskirts. Authorities declined to provide details about the condition of the body but said a post-mortem examination would determine the cause of death.