Family of 85-year-old Sydney man kidnapped by mistake say he ‘wouldn’t hurt a fly’ | New South Wales

The family of Chris Baghsarian, who was mistakenly abducted from his Sydney home last week, say they are “living through a nightmare” and that the 85-year-old’s abduction feels “surreal”.

Baghsarian was alone in his North Ryde home when he was allegedly taken by underworld figures and put into a dark-colored SUV on Friday morning.

Police said the incident was a case of confusion and raises serious concerns for the grandfather, who requires daily medication.

“Our family is living a nightmare we never thought possible,” relatives said in a statement Tuesday evening.

“Chris being kidnapped feels surreal and we are trying to make sense of the fact that he was kidnapped and our family was involved in something that had nothing to do with us.

“Chris is a devoted father, brother, uncle and grandfather. He is well-liked, kind and the kindest person we know; he wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

In a statement issued through NSW police, the family requested privacy as they await “some form of closure or resolution”.

“This is an extraordinarily troubling time and we need space to support each other and focus on navigating what comes next.

Deputy Det Andrew Marks said on Monday that police believed Baghsarian was still alive.

“This is no ordinary crime,” he said at the time. “Criminals got the wrong person. They intended to take someone away, but… they kidnapped the wrong person.”

Marks said Baghsarian’s family did not receive any ransom.

“In a normal kidnapping case, we would have been aware of the ransom. But since the family was not involved in this type of crime and was not involved in that world, they did not receive a ransom.”

Marks said police were “1 million percent sure” the kidnappers had taken the wrong man. He did not comment on who the intended victim might have been.