A 51-year-old woman has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder in the alleged kidnapping and murder of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian. The arrest on Tuesday marks the twelfth charge laid in connection with the case.
Mr. Baghsarian, 85, was taken from his North Ryde home in the early hours of February 13. Police have described the incident as a case of mistaken identity. His remains were discovered 11 days later near a golf club in Pitt Town.
The accused woman was arrested in Lethbridge Park, in Sydney's west, and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station. She was refused bail and is scheduled to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday.
This arrest follows charges previously laid against 11 individuals who remain before the courts. In June, four men were charged over the alleged kidnapping and murder, including a 32-year-old man identified by police as the alleged coordinator of the plot. Other individuals charged with murder include Brendan Gorman, 21; Codi Fuller, 21; Moustafa Ohrok, 19; Gerard Andrews, 29; Daniel Stevens, 24; and Deklin James Donnelly, 23.
Court documents indicate that Andrews and Stevens allegedly transported Mr. Baghsarian to a makeshift location in Dural. Investigators believe the intended target of the abduction was a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, who resided on the same street as Mr. Baghsarian.
Mr. Baghsarian's family has described the ordeal as a nightmare and requested privacy while they mourn the loss of a devoted father, brother, uncle, and grandfather, remembering him as someone who would never harm anyone.