IT Tech Who Helped Detectives Investigate Man's Disappearance, Arrested For His Murder: Sheriff

A real estate executive's body was unearthed in a remote Mojave Desert cave this week, and the 21-year-old man suspected of murdering him is the same tech expert who helped the Madera County Sheriff's Office investigate the case, according to police.

Detectives on Thursday announced the arrest of 21-year-old Audrik Matevosian on suspicion of murdering 75-year-old Bob Boyajian days earlier at his Bass Lake home, the Madera County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday.

On July 14th, deputies responded to a request for a welfare check at the home of 75-year-old Bob Boyajian after he missed a work meeting. They found his car, but not him. Strangely, his bedding had been removed along with his cell phone and his wallet.

" It was an unusual observation that added to those growing concerns. At that point, there were no clear signs of foul play, but the totality of the circumstances seemed very out of character for Mr. Boyajian," Sheriff Tyson Pogues said at a press conference Thursday.

Detectives sought evidence from Boyajian's home security system. For access, the turned to the young family friend who helped install the system: IT Tech Matevosian.

"He attempted to walk them through how to access that camera system, providing them information which apps to download, passwords. Despite those efforts, they could not get access to the cameras," said Pogue. "At one point, the young man sent a screenshot showing that that system was actually offline. When asked about a DVR, he directed us to a specific location in the closet where it should be located. However, the DVR was missing, which additionally escalated those suspicions."

Detectives then discovered that a young man was caught on an ATM camera trying to withdraw large sums of money from Boyajian's bank account, added Pogue. They received tips identifying the suspect as Matevosian, the young the man they had spoken to on the phone.

"The investigation revealed disturbing evidence of premeditation, including the online purchase of a body bag and a car rental," the Madera County Sheriff's Office announced on Facebook. "Matevosian was taken into custody yesterday and ultimately confessed. He then led deputies to the victim’s burial site in San Bernardino County."

He is currently being held without bail on charges including first-degree murder with special circumstances and grand theft.

“Our detectives worked tirelessly to bring justice for Mr. Boyajian and his loved ones,” added Pogue. “This arrest represents our commitment to protecting this community—no matter how far the investigation must go.”