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Beverly Hills: Manhunt for five men after mum’s violent kidnapping ends in horror death

New CCTV has revealed the chilling moment a 45-year-old mother was violently kidnapped from her home and bundled into a car by five hooded men.

CCTV shows horror kidnapping before woman found dead

New footage has emerged of the terrifying final moments of a mother-of-two who was violently kidnapped from her home and found dead in a burning car by five hooded men.

The vision, blocked partially by trees and other vehicles, captured two cars, a white sedan and dark-coloured SUV, pulling up on the normally quiet Edward Street in Bankstown about 10.30pm on Thursday night.

Figures are seen moving towards the house, with the 45-year-old woman appearing to be bundled into the SUV a short time later.

In the chilling minutes between, the woman was allegedly stripped naked and her eight-year-old son beaten with a baseball bat by one of the masked intruders.

Men are seen on CCTV entering the Bankstown home of a woman who was kidnapped and found dead in a burning car shortly after. Picture: Supplied
Men are seen on CCTV entering the Bankstown home of a woman who was kidnapped and found dead in a burning car shortly after. Picture: Supplied

Neighbours were shaken by the incident, one resident recalling having heard two loud screams, at what is understood to be a usually quiet street.

He remains in an induced coma in Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, as police continue their search for the five men who remain on the run.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Superintendent Rodney Hart said the group of men produced a gun, before forcing the woman into the back seat of a dark coloured SUV and driving her away.

A body has been found inside a car that was engulfed by flames in Sydney’s south. Picture: 7News
A body has been found inside a car that was engulfed by flames in Sydney’s south. Picture: 7News
The burnt out car was removed from Welfare Street in Beverly Hills on Friday afternoon. Photo: Gaye Gerard / NewsWire
The burnt out car was removed from Welfare Street in Beverly Hills on Friday afternoon. Photo: Gaye Gerard / NewsWire

An hour later, emergency services were called to a car fire at Welfare Avenue, Beverly Hills, with firefighters battling the blaze but unable to save the vehicle.

“Fire and Rescue extinguished that vehicle, which was extensively damaged (and) a search of that vehicle unfortunately located a severely burned body in the back seat of the car,” Superintendent Hart said.

“Although visual identification at this stage is impossible, we strongly believe and suspect that the body is that of the 45-year-old woman and mother of those children who had earlier been kidnapped.

“This crime is horrendous. The level of violence is unheard of ... we strongly believe that this is a targeted incident.”

Kidnapped woman found in burning car

The woman’s husband and father to the two boys was interstate for business at the time and is returning to Sydney to assist police.

Superintendent Hart said police had spoken to a number of witnesses and are planning to do a “very, very large” canvas of CCTV footage across the six kilometres between the two crime scenes.

Police have not ruled out whether the incident was gang or organised crime-related.

It is unknown if the woman was dead when the vehicle was set alight.

A crime scene has been established and an investigation is underway. Photo: Gaye Gerard / NewsWire
A crime scene has been established and an investigation is underway. Photo: Gaye Gerard / NewsWire
Police and forensics established a crime scene at the woman’s home. Photo: Gaye Gerard / NewsWire
Police and forensics established a crime scene at the woman’s home. Photo: Gaye Gerard / NewsWire

A crime scene has been established at both locations as investigations by Strike Force Bushfield continue.

Forensic specialists, alongside detectives, were seen at the Bankstown property on Friday afternoon.

A large section of the street remained closed off on Friday afternoon, even to locals returning home.

“We have put all our resources on this strike force so we can assure that we will do the best for these children and the husband,” Superintendent Hart added.

“I can only imagine what those children went through, seeing their mother dragged out of the home.

“We are going to put all the support we can around them, and they are our main focus.”

Anyone with information is urged to come forward.

Originally published as Beverly Hills: Manhunt for five men after mum’s violent kidnapping ends in horror death

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/breaking-news/mystery-after-body-found-in-burnt-out-car-in-beverly-hills-sydney/news-story/f945062af002491645218d61b1527a57