Two more men have been charged over the alleged kidnapping and murder of a Sydney grandfather, Chris Bagzarian, as the investigation into his death widens. The latest arrests bring the number of people now before the courts in connection with the case to four, underlining the scale of the operation that police say lay behind the 85-year-old's disappearance and death.
Mr Bagzarian was kidnapped from his home at North Ryde, in Sydney's north, in mid-February. The taking of an elderly man from his own home drew significant attention, and his disappearance set off a search that would end in tragedy several days later.
His remains were found 11 days after he was taken, on the north-west fringes of the city. The grim discovery confirmed the worst fears of investigators and turned what had begun as a kidnapping inquiry into a murder investigation that has continued in the months since.
In the latest development, detectives have arrested two men, aged 19 and 21. Their arrests are the most recent step in an inquiry that has steadily worked to identify those allegedly involved in the abduction and killing of the 85-year-old.
The two men have been charged with murder and with detaining a person with intent to obtain a ransom. The charges remain allegations to be tested in court, and the pair are now part of the group of people facing legal proceedings over the case, with the presumption of innocence applying as the matter proceeds.
With the two new arrests, four people are now before the courts in relation to the kidnapping and murder of Chris Bagzarian. Police have indicated their work is continuing as they seek to piece together exactly what happened to the Sydney grandfather between the time he was taken from his home and the discovery of his remains.