A body found in a burnt-out car is believed to be that of a 45-year-old mother who was viciously assaulted and kidnapped in front of her two young sons.
Police were called to a home in Bankstown about 10:30pm on Thursday night after a group of five men wearing balaclavas forced their way in.
They allegedly attacked the woman and her eight-year-old son with a baseball bat before forcing the mother-of-two into a dark-coloured SUV and driving away.
The eight-year-old boy was treated by paramedics for serious head injuries at the home before he was rushed to hospital for further treatment.
He underwent surgery on Friday morning and remains fighting for life in the ICU.
A 15-year-old boy was also in the home and was taken to hospital for assessment.
An hour later, firefighters were called to a car fire just 10 minutes from the Bankstown home on Welfare Avenue in Beverly Hills.
After the blaze was extinguished, a body was discovered on the backseat of the car.
Fire crews discovered a body inside a burnt out car in Sydney’s south-west on Thursday night
Firefighters are seen hosing down the burnt-out car in Beverley Hills
The body is yet to be formally identified but police ‘strongly believe’ it is that of the 45-year-old Bankstown woman.
Superintendent Rodney Hart, Commander of Bankstown Area Command, said police believe the incident is a targeted attack.
‘This crime is horrendous,’ he told a press conference on Friday.
‘The level of violence is unheard of but I want to reassure the community that we strongly believe that this is a targeted incident and that this is not been a random kidnapping.
‘The two children are our main focus. Their welfare and their security is paramount to us. We have been able to make contact with their father and the victim’s husband who at the time of this offence was interstate.
‘He has spoken to police and he is on his way back to Sydney now to support his two children and to assist police with their inquiries.’
A crime scene has been established at both locations as investigations by Strike Force Bushfield continue.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
