Fresh CCTV released in mistaken-identity murder of Chris Baghsarian

Detectives hunting the people behind the alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian have gone back to the public with a new lead: a man caught on CCTV in a Leppington hardware store two days before the North Ryde grandfather was taken.

NSW Police released the images on Monday as Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives continue to work through the killing under Strike Force Chabot. It is one of the nastier cases on their books this year, not because of mystery alone, but because police say Baghsarian was never meant to be taken at all.

The first call came just after 5am on Friday, February 13. Officers from Ryde Police Area Command were told an 85-year-old man had been kidnapped from his North Ryde home. Local police went in first, then State Crime Command detectives took over the recovery effort.

Early inquiries, police say, established Baghsarian had been snatched in a case of mistaken identity. Eleven days later, about 8am on Tuesday, February 24, his remains were found near a golf club at Pitt Town.

Four people have already been charged and remain before the courts. But Monday’s appeal shows detectives believe there are still people who can help them fill in the gaps around what happened before Baghsarian was taken, and who was moving around the alleged crew in the days leading up to it.

The man police now want identified was filmed inside a hardware store at Leppington about 7.30am on Wednesday, February 11. Police describe him as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance, between 175 and 185 centimetres tall, with a medium build, long brown hair and a beard. He was wearing a lime green T-shirt, black shorts and white runners.

The timing matters. The footage was captured two days before the kidnapping report from North Ryde, in a case where police have already said the victim was not the intended target. In plain terms, detectives appear to be chasing anyone who may have crossed paths with the alleged planning, vehicles, supplies or movements before the abduction.

There is no allegation in the public appeal that the man in the images committed an offence. Police say only that he may be able to assist with inquiries. That distinction matters, particularly in a murder brief already before the courts.

But the appeal also tells its own story. Months after Baghsarian’s remains were found, investigators are still working the lead-up minute by minute. They are looking beyond the arrests already made and asking the public to put a name to a face from a suburban hardware aisle.

Anyone who recognises the man, or has information about the incident, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Police have asked that information not be sent through NSW Police social media pages.

Sources: NSW Police latest news release, Monday, June 8, 2026; Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police releases reviewed for national crime context. Image: Tony Webster/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.