Two More Men Charged in Sydney Kidnapping Murder Case
Two more men have been charged over the alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Sydney man Chris Baghsarian, bringing the number of people before the courts in the case to six.
New South Wales Police allege Mr Baghsarian was taken from his North Ryde home shortly after 5am on February 13 in what investigators have described as a case of mistaken identity. His disappearance triggered an extensive 11-day search before human remains were found near a golf course at Pitt Town, in Sydney’s north-west.
The latest arrests were made on Tuesday as detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad continued inquiries under Strike Force Chabot. Police said officers executed a search warrant at Shalvey, in Sydney’s west, about 7:15am and arrested 19-year-old Brendan Gorman. A short time later, a 21-year-old man, Codi Fuller, was arrested at Silverwater.
Charges Heard in Court
Both men were taken to Mt Druitt Police Station and charged with murder and taking or detaining a person in company with intent to ransom occasioning actual bodily harm. Police said Mr Gorman was also charged with failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction.
The pair were refused bail and their matters were briefly mentioned at Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday. Their cases have been adjourned to July 17. Four other people have already been charged in relation to Mr Baghsarian’s alleged abduction and death and remain before the courts.
Outside court, lawyer Feddy Kak, who is representing both of the newly charged men, said the proceedings were at an early stage and that his clients maintained the right to the presumption of innocence.
Police Say Victim Was Not the Intended Target
Investigators have said early inquiries indicated Mr Baghsarian was not the intended target of the alleged kidnapping. According to the ABC, it is understood the intended target was a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, who also lived nearby.
Police allege Mr Baghsarian was taken from North Ryde to a derelict property at Dural, which investigators have described as a “stronghold” used by his captors. During the search for him earlier this year, police issued urgent public appeals amid concerns for his safety. Images and video of Mr Baghsarian tied up and being assaulted had circulated before his remains were found.
Robbery and Serious Crimes Squad Commander Andrew Marks previously said police believed Mr Baghsarian died at the Dural location before his body was left at Pitt Town.
Public Appeal Continues
Detectives have continued to appeal for public assistance as the investigation progresses. Last week, police released CCTV images of a man they said may be able to assist inquiries. The images showed a man in a hardware store at Leppington about 7:30am on February 11, two days before Mr Baghsarian was kidnapped.
Police described the man as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance, between 175 and 185 centimetres tall, of medium build, with long brown hair and a beard. Anyone who recognises the man, or who has information relevant to the investigation, has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The case has drawn significant attention because of the alleged mistaken-identity element and the age of the victim. With six people now before the courts, detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances of the abduction, the alleged ransom motive, and the chain of events that led to Mr Baghsarian’s death.
