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 Chris Baghsarian, an 85-year-old Sydney grandfather abducted from his North Ryde home on February 13. Baghsarian’s body was found tortured and dumped near a Pitt Town golf course 11 days later, after a $50 million ransom demand was made to the Stepanyan family—who informed kidnappers they had targeted the wrong man. Donnelly was charged with murder, kidnapping, and multiple firearm/drug offences, including possession of an unauthorised shotgun and prohibited drugs, and was denied bail. Gerard Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, were charged earlier for their roles in the plot, while Donnelly’s girlfriend, Jenessa Thurston, was sentenced for unrelated violence offences. Investigators believe up to nine people were involved, with possible offshore coordination, and Donnelly’s arrest follows a months-long manhunt. The case highlights a botched abduction targeting Dimitri Stepanyan’s father, a relative of a known Sydney businessman linked to organised crime, but resulting in Baghsarian’s fatal mistake. Neighbours described Donnelly and Thurston as reclusive before their arrests, and Donnelly allegedly updated his social media while police were actively searching for Baghsarian’s killers.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
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 on February 13 from North Ryde.
- Baghsarian’s body was found on February 24 near a golf course in Pitt Town, Sydney’s northwest, after being tortured and killed between February 13 and 9pm February 14.
- Donnelly was found wearing only his underwear during the arrest, and an sawn-off shotgun, ammunition, and prohibited drugs (heroin, methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis) were seized at the Seven Hills property.
- Donnelly was denied bail and will next appear in Blacktown Local Court on May 22, facing charges including murder, kidnapping, and multiple firearm/drug offences.
- 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.
- Police allege Donnelly was a ‘ringleader’ or ‘major player’ in the kidnapping plot and was captured on CCTV at Baghsarian’s home during the abduction.
- The intended victim was Dimitri Stepanyan’s father, a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan linked to the Alameddine crime family, but Baghsarian was abducted by mistake.
- A $50 million ransom demand was made to the Stepanyan family, who informed kidnappers of the error.
- Up to nine people are suspected of involvement in the kidnapping and murder, with investigations ongoing into possible offshore involvement.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Donnelly allegedly murdered Baghsarian between February 13 morning and 9pm February 14, per court documents.
- Donnelly was charged with ‘take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm’ (exact phrasing not in other sources).
- Donnelly’s charges include ‘acquire firearm without authority to do so’ and three counts of ‘supply prohibited drug’ (not explicitly listed in other sources).
- Police allege Donnelly and Thurston were in the main bedroom of the Seven Hills home when officers stormed the property.
- Thurston was sentenced for an ‘apprehended domestic violence order breach’ (not just AVO) and an earlier 2025 matter involving police assault.
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks stated Donnelly was ‘contracted to kidnap’ Stepanyan’s father but ‘mistakenly abducted’ Baghsarian.
- Donnelly updated his Facebook profile picture on February 16 (two days after body was dumped and while police were searching), per neighbours.
- Neighbours described Donnelly and Thurston as ‘very quiet’ and rarely seen before their arrests.
- Marks mentioned police seized ‘illegal firearms and firearms parts’ (not just shotgun) at Donnelly’s home.
- Marks stated it was ‘not known if Donnelly had received payment for the kidnapping’ (not mentioned elsewhere).
- Baghsarian’s family is described as having ‘no links to organised crime’ and is ‘distraught’ (SMH adds emotional context not in other sources).
- Superintendent Marks stated Donnelly was alleged to have ‘conveyed Mr Baghsarian to the stronghold in Dural’ (not explicitly phrased in other sources).
- ABC notes Donnelly was ‘not required to appear’ for his matter on Thursday (implied in other sources but not phrased identically).
- ABC clarifies Donnelly was ‘not required to appear’ for his matter at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday (other sources say he did not apply for bail).
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- NEWSCOMAU states Donnelly was charged with ‘take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm’ (exact phrasing), while SMH and ABC use ‘kidnapping and murder’ without this specific phrasing.
- SMH reports Donnelly updated his Facebook profile picture on February 16 (two days after body was dumped), but NEWSCOMAU does not mention this detail.
- SMH states Donnelly was ‘contracted to kidnap’ Stepanyan’s father (implying premeditation), while NEWSCOMAU focuses on Donnelly being a ‘ringleader’ without this specific phrasing.
- ABC implies Donnelly was ‘not required to appear’ for his matter on Thursday (passive phrasing), while NEWSCOMAU and SMH state he was ‘refused bail’ or ‘did not apply for bail’ (active phrasing).
- NEWSCOMAU lists three counts of ‘supply prohibited drug’ as a charge, but SMH and ABC do not specify this exact phrasing or count.
Source Articles
Concerning find in alleged killer’s home: cops
New details have emerged after a man accused of playing a key role in the alleged kidnapping and murder of a grandfather was charged....
Ringleader of Sydney grandfather’s botched kidnapping and murder arrested, police say
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....
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....