Woman kidnapped from home before body found in burnt out car

Police are investigating whether a body found inside a burnt car in Sydney’s south-west this morning is linked to the violent home invasion and kidnapping of a woman hours earlier.

Officers were first called to a home in Bankstown at 10.30pm after reports that a 45-year-old woman had been kidnapped.

They were told a group of masked people forced their way into the home, allegedly armed with a firearm.

An eight-year-old boy was assaulted with a baseball bat during the incident and the 45-year-old woman was forced into an SUV. 

The eight-year-old was treated for serious head injuries by paramedics and has been taken to hospital for treatment.

Another 15-year-old boy, who was also inside the home at the time, has been taken to hospital for assessment. 

An hour later, police were called to Welfare Avenue in Beverly Hills just before 11.30pm following reports of a car fire.

Fire and rescue extinguished the blaze.

A body was located inside the car during an examination of the burnt-out vehicle.

The body is yet to be formally identified but police suspect it’s the 45-year-old woman. 

Police established a crime scene and investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.