Sydney man’s final moments caught on CCTV. Killing linked to kidnapping, torture rampage, police say

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The investigation into the murder of a Sydney man has led police to a “contract crew” they allege carried out two other violent incidents in the same week, including an attempted murder where a man was buried alive and a kidnapping where another man’s ear was severed.

The remains of 32-year-old Rich “Dylan” Choup were found in bushland at Lucas Heights in August last year, with the investigation into his death under Strike Force Hallett uncovering an alleged six-day crime spree across NSW and Queensland.

Amid an appeal for information on the violent incidents, police have revealed they believe all three crimes are connected to a Victorian drug trafficking syndicate.

Images of Rich “Dylan” Choup with his family, shared on a 2024 GoFundMe page to raise funds for his funeral costs and for his son.

Sydney kidnapping and torture

In the first incident on July 19 last year, a 31-year-old man was kidnapped and tortured in Sydney’s south-west, before being released later the same day, police say.

The alleged crime was never reported, but police believe the man was taken to a Canley Vale property where part of his ear was severed off.

A police search of the site on October 10 recovered a box cutter. CCTV released in the police appeal for information shows a dark-coloured Audi SQ2 and a white Volkswagen Golf travelling in convoy at the Freeman Avenue and Sackville Street intersection in Canley Vale around the time of the kidnapping.

The box cutter police allege was used in the Canley Vale kidnapping.

Queensland attempted murder

Two days later, a man survived an alleged murder attempt in Queensland, where police say he was shot in the head and buried alive.

About 5am on July 21, 2024, a man with a gunshot wound to his head entered a service station in Jimboomba, 27 kilometres south of Brisbane, covered in dirt.

The 23-year-old man said he did not want emergency services, but when he collapsed, the service station staff called for an ambulance. He had been shot through the eye and had a bullet lodged in his brain.

Two persons of interest seen at a Nambucca roadhouse. The alleged victim, whose face is blurred, is looking in the boot of the car.

Police allege that after the man was shot, he was buried alive. He managed to escape, crawling out of his shallow grave, probably without the knowledge of his attackers.

CCTV footage shows four men, one of whom is believed to be the victim, in a white Hyundai Getz at a roadhouse in Nambucca on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Police believe the victim may have been picked up in NSW and driven to Queensland.

Murder of Rich ‘Dylan’ Choup

Sydney man Dylan Choup was reported missing on July 29 last year, having last been seen in an altercation in Cabramatta on the evening of July 25.

CCTV footage shows Choup, dressed in a bucket hat and holding an iced drink, being slapped in the face by a man dressed in black on Railway Parade.

CCTV footage shows the men on Railway Parade in Cabramatta.

Choup told friends he had a meeting, asking them to wait nearby. But the footage shows Choup and the man who slapped him walking towards a grey Audi SQ2. Police believe it could be the same vehicle used in the Canley Vale assault days earlier.

On August 31, more than a month after Choup was last seen and reported missing, trail bike riders came upon human remains in bushland off Heathcote Road in Lucas Heights.

An autopsy later confirmed the remains belonged to Choup, who had been fatally shot, with the top of his right ear cut off.

In their appeal for information, detectives have also released CCTV of a white Lexus and white Audi RS3, and two men considered persons of interest seen moving the vehicles around the time of Choup’s disappearance.

A tribute posted online to raise funds for Choup’s family said he had a “huge heart” and left behind a partner and a seven-month-old baby son.

The funeral notice for Rich “Dylan” Choup.

“He was the glue to many, committed to bringing all those around him together. His compassion, loyalty, generosity, humour and positive energy will never be forgotten,” the tribute reads.

“Dylan wanted nothing more, but to be a loving father and give his child the best life possible.”

Police are urging anyone with further information on any of the incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.