Arrest and charges in Sydney grandfather’s mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder case
Consensus Summary
Police have arrested Deklin James Donnelly, 23, as the alleged ringleader in the mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian, who was abducted from his North Ryde home on February 13 and killed 11 days later near a Pitt Town golf course. Donnelly was charged with murder, kidnapping, and multiple firearm and drug offenses, including possession of an sawn-off shotgun and prohibited substances, after police raided his Seven Hills home. Authorities allege Donnelly was a key organizer in the plot, mistakenly targeting Baghsarian instead of Dimitri Stepanyan’s father, a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan. Two other men, Gerard Andrews and Daniel Stevens, were previously charged in the case and remain in custody. Donnelly’s girlfriend, Jenessa Thurston, was arrested for unrelated violence offenses and sentenced to 10 months in prison. Police believe up to nine people were involved, with investigations ongoing into possible offshore involvement. Donnelly’s arrest followed a months-long manhunt, and he was found wearing only his underwear during the raid. The case highlights a botched kidnapping attempt linked to organized crime networks, leaving Baghsarian’s family devastated by the mistaken identity tragedy.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Deklin James Donnelly, 23, was arrested on March 6 at a Seven Hills home and charged with murder and kidnapping of Chris Baghsarian, an 85-year-old grandfather mistakenly abducted from North Ryde on February 13
- Baghsarian’s body was found near a golf course in Pitt Town, Sydney’s northwest, on February 24, 11 days after his abduction
- Donnelly was found wearing only his underwear during his arrest, and an sawn-off shotgun, ammunition, and prohibited drugs (heroin, methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis) were allegedly found at the Seven Hills property
- Gerard Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, were charged in February with Baghsarian’s kidnapping and murder, and remain in custody without entering pleas
- Jenessa Thurston, 23, Donnelly’s girlfriend, was arrested alongside him for an apprehended violence order breach and sentenced to 10 months imprisonment (non-parole period of 6 months) on March 6
- Donnelly was denied bail and will next appear in Blacktown Local Court on May 22
- Police allege Donnelly was captured on CCTV at Baghsarian’s home during the kidnapping and near an abandoned Dural home where Baghsarian was allegedly tortured and killed
- The intended victim was Dimitri Stepanyan’s father, a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, linked to the Alameddine crime family
- Police seized illegal firearms, ammunition, and prohibited drugs at Donnelly’s Seven Hills home
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks stated Donnelly was a ‘major player’ in the kidnapping plot and conveyed Baghsarian to the Dural location
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Donnelly allegedly murdered Baghsarian between February 13 morning and 9pm on February 14, with the body disposed of shortly after captors realized the wrong man was taken
- Donnelly’s charges include ‘take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm’ and ‘acquire firearm without authority’
- Thurston was arrested for an apprehended violence order breach and a 2025 matter involving assaulting a police officer during duty execution
- Donnelly’s Facebook profile picture was updated on February 16, two days after police believe Baghsarian’s body was dumped and while detectives were searching for the victim
- Donnelly allegedly recruited Stevens and Andrews to help kidnap Baghsarian, who was believed to have been killed shortly after captors were told they targeted the wrong home
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks stated Donnelly was ‘contracted to kidnap the father of Dimitri Stepanyan’ and ‘one of the higher players in that crew’
- Neighbors described Donnelly and Thurston as ‘very quiet’ and rarely seen before their arrests
- Police believe up to nine people were involved in the kidnapping and murder, and are investigating whether the botched abduction was ordered offshore
- Donnelly updated his Facebook profile picture on February 16, while detectives were actively searching for Baghsarian’s remains
- Marks stated it was not known if Donnelly had received payment for the kidnapping
- Superintendent Andrew Marks stated police will allege Donnelly ‘conveyed Mr Baghsarian to the stronghold in Dural where he was kept’
- No additional details on the timeline of Baghsarian’s torture or disposal beyond Marks’ statement about Dural
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- NEWSCOMAU states Donnelly allegedly murdered Baghsarian between February 13 morning and 9pm on February 14, while SMH implies the killing occurred shortly after captors realized the wrong man was taken (no specific time provided)
- NEWSCOMAU lists Donnelly’s charges as including ‘acquire firearm without authority,’ but SMH does not mention this specific charge
- SMH states Donnelly was ‘contracted to kidnap the father of Dimitri Stepanyan,’ while NEWSCOMAU does not specify whether Donnelly was explicitly contracted or merely involved in the plot
- SMH mentions police are investigating whether the botched abduction was ordered offshore, but this detail is not present in NEWSCOMAU or ABC
- ABC does not specify the exact location of Baghsarian’s torture or disposal beyond ‘Dural,’ while NEWSCOMAU and SMH mention an abandoned Dural home or golf course in Pitt Town
Source Articles
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Deklin James Donnelly, 23, was contracted to abduct the father of a man linked to the Alameddine crime family when he mistakenly snatched Chris Baghsarian, police allege....
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New details have emerged after a man accused of playing a key role in the alleged kidnapping and murder of a grandfather was charged....
23yo fronts court over alleged abduction and murder of Chris Baghsarian
The man who police have alleged to be a "major player" in the mistaken identity kidnapping and murder of a Sydney grandfather has fronted court for the first time....