MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Long-time Bass Lake realtor Robert Boyajian has been found dead, and a 21-year-old man who once worked for him has been arrested, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say 21-year-old Audrik Matevosian allegedly killed Robert Boyajian and then drove out to the Mojave Desert to dispose of his body. The suspect, according to the Madera County Sheriff, had previously done IT work for Boyajian.

Officials say 75-year-old Robert Boyajian was considered missing from Sunday, July 13. On Monday, July 14, deputies did a welfare check on Boyajian and discovered his truck parked in the garage. They also located a briefcase and his Apple Watch, which Sheriff Tyson Pogue says he never went without.

“However, his cell phone and his wallet were missing,” said Sheriff Pogue. “They also noticed that all of the bedding was missing from his bed, which was an unusual observation that added to those growing concerns.”

Investigators say they attempted to access Boyajian’s home security cameras – which is when they first spoke to 21-year-old Audrik Matevosian, as Matevosian had previously done IT work for Boyajian. Matevosian attempted to walk deputies through how to access the camera system, providing them with information on which apps to download and passwords.

Despite those efforts, deputies say they could not get access to the cameras. At one point, Matevosian sent a screenshot showing that the system was offline. When deputies asked Matevosian about a DVR, he directed them to a specific location in the closet where it should be located, but it was missing.

As the investigation developed, Pogue said they obtained a search warrant for bank records.  Bank surveillance footage revealed that on Monday, July 14, around 8:30 p.m., a $1,000 withdrawal was made at an ATM in Clovis.

Pogue says there were two additional failed attempts to withdraw money from Robert Boyajian’s account that same night. 

Security footage showed the suspect attempting to withdraw money from Robert Boyajian’s account. Sheriff Pogue says that as they were preparing to release photos to the public, they received two simultaneous tips identifying the individual in those images.

The suspect, 21-year-old Audrik Matevosian, had previously done IT work for Boyajian and was the man deputies talked to regarding the DVR. Deputies say they served a search warrant at Matevosian’s parents’ home in Clovis and that all were cooperative with investigators.

During that interview, deputies say Matevosian referred to Boyajian in the past tense, which raised concern.

According to Sheriff Pogue, Matevosian first claimed Boyajian committed suicide. Then he said he had helped Boyajian end his life. He ultimately confessed to killing Boyajian around midnight on Saturday and then driving his body to the Mojave Desert, where he buried him in a cave.

Sheriff Pogue says the suspect’s motives were twofold: there was resentment towards Boyajian because he claimed that he had spoken disparagingly about his family, and there was a plan for financial gain.

Investigators believe the death was premeditated homicide due to the suspect’s confession and the supporting evidence. Sheriff Pogue says that at least a week prior, Matevosian purchased a body bag from Amazon and rented a vehicle from Fresno on Friday morning.

Investigators say on Saturday, Matevosian called Boyajian to ensure that he was home. He then went to Bass Lake, where he shot and killed Boyajian around midnight. He wrapped the body in bedding, placed it in a body bag, and transported him to the Mojave Desert, where the body was placed in a cave. The suspect used the victim’s ATM card in Clovis on his way home.

As of Thursday, Matevosian is being held without bail on charges including first-degree murder with special circumstances and grand theft. The gun allegedly used to kill the victim (previously reported stolen by Mr. Boyajian) was recovered in the suspect’s home; the victim’s wallet was also recovered in the suspect’s locker at a local gym in Fresno.

“This was a calculated and callous act against a respected member of our community,” said Sheriff Tyson Pogue. “Our detectives worked tirelessly and methodically to bring justice to Mr. Boyajian and his loved ones.”