This story contains graphic content.
Police strongly believe a body found inside a burnt-out car in Sydney’s south-west is that of a woman who was allegedly kidnapped from a home and assaulted hours earlier.
Speaking to the media on Friday, police described the crime, which is believed to be a targeted incident, as “horrendous” and the level of violence as “unheard of”.
Officers were first called to a home in Bankstown about 10.30pm on Thursday following reports of a kidnapping.
They were told a group of people had broken into the property and kidnapped the 45-year-old woman.
Superintendent Rodney Hart said the police believe the attack was targeted. Source: AAP / Alex Mitchell
Police said the alleged kidnappers, who had firearms, severely assaulted both the woman and her eight-year-old son with a baseball bat before forcing the woman into an SUV.
The eight-year-old underwent surgery for serious head injuries and remained in an induced coma in the ICU, in a serious but stable condition.
His 15-year-old brother, who has provided police with an account of the ordeal, was also taken to the hospital for assessment.
Officers were later called to the suburb of Beverly Hills just before 11.30pm on Thursday following reports of a car fire. Crews extinguished the blaze, but the car was destroyed and a body was located inside.
Superintendent Rodney Hart said they had made contact with the father of the boys, and the woman’s husband, who had been intestate on business. Source: AAP
‘The level of violence is unheard of’
Superintendent Rodney Hart said while the body has not been formally identified, police strongly believe it is the woman who was kidnapped.
“This crime is horrendous, the level of violence is unheard of,” Hart said.
“But I want to reassure the community we strongly believe this is a targeted incident and this has not been a random kidnapping.”
Police believe their father was interstate on a business trip and they spoke with him on Friday morning.
“He has spoken to police, and he’s on his way back to Sydney now to support his two children and to assist police with their inquiries,” Hart said.
“The two children are our main focus, their welfare and their security is paramount to us.”
NSW Police are investigating an alleged kidnapping in Bankstown. Source: AAP / Steven Saphore
Police do not know how the group of men were known to the woman, or if the incident was gang or organised crime-related.
They will undertake a “very large” CCTV search canvassing the distance between the two crime scenes, appealing for members of the public with relevant information or video footage to come forward.
“We have put all available resources on this strike force so that we can assure that we will do the best for these children and the husband,” Hart said.
Crime scenes have been set up at both the house where the alleged kidnapping occurred and at the location of the burnt-out car.
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