Arrests and investigation into the alleged mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian in Sydney
Consensus Summary
Police in New South Wales have arrested two more people—both aged 23—in connection with the alleged mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, whose body was found near Pitt Town after 11 days missing. The arrests followed a search warrant at a Seven Hills property, where NSW Police recovered firearms, drugs, and electronic devices, with the male suspect charged with murder, kidnapping, and multiple drug offenses. Two men, Gerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24), were previously charged in February with murder and kidnapping for targeting a relative of Dimitri Stepanyan instead of Baghsarian. Investigators allege the crime involved up to nine people and spanned locations including North Ryde, Dural, and Pitt Town, with a blue Hyundai sedan linked to the abduction later found burnt out. Baghsarian’s family described him as a gentle man, and his funeral took place on March 16. While all sources agree on core details like the victims’ identity, timeline, and initial arrests, discrepancies exist in the timing of the body’s discovery and the specifics of evidence seized during raids. NEWSCOMAU provided the most detailed charges and investigative claims, including allegations of the suspect’s role in body disposal and recruitment of others.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Chris Baghsarian, an 85-year-old Armenian grandfather, was allegedly kidnapped from his North Ryde home on February 13 in a case of mistaken identity
- His remains were found near a golf club in Pitt Town, northwest Sydney, on February 24 (discovered after 11 days missing)
- Two men, Gerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24), were charged in February with murder and kidnapping with intent to ransom or cause grievous bodily harm
- Two additional suspects—a 23-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman—were arrested on March 13 during a search warrant at a Seven Hills property
- Police allege the intended target was a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, not Baghsarian
- No ransom demand or communication was made to Baghsarian’s family
- A blue Hyundai sedan (later found burnt out at Glenbrook railway station on February 26) is linked to the kidnapping
- CCTV footage shows three men near a Dural property (alleged ‘stronghold’) on the night of the abduction
- Baghsarian was buried on March 16 at Macquarie Park Cemetery, North Ryde
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Family described Baghsarian as ‘deeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person’ who would ‘never hurt a fly’
- Andrews and Stevens did not apply for bail and are due back in court in April
- Police released images of a blue car (unspecified make) believed involved in the kidnapping
- No mention of firearms, drugs, or prohibited weapons seized during the Seven Hills raid
- During the Seven Hills raid, police seized firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, prohibited weapons, a significant quantity of prohibited drugs, and electronic devices
- The 23-year-old man was charged with murder, kidnapping, multiple drug offenses, unauthorized firearm possession, and failing to comply with a digital evidence order
- The woman was charged with breaching an AVO (domestic violence order)
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks stated the man ‘facilitated and recruited others’ and ‘arranged disposal of the body’
- Inspector Marks alleged the man was physically involved in the kidnapping, present at North Ryde during the abduction, and transported Baghsarian to Dural
- Police believe up to nine people were involved in the crime
- The blue Hyundai was identified as a 2017 model and was found burnt out at Glenbrook railway station
- Investigators are still determining if money was exchanged (ransom or otherwise)
- Baghsarian’s body was dumped near a golf club at Pitt Town but not found until February 24 (implied earlier discovery than ABC’s ‘more than 10 days’)
- No additional charges or details about the new arrests beyond their detention and questioning
- No mention of firearms, drugs, or prohibited weapons seized during the raid
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states Baghsarian’s remains were found ‘more than 10 days later’ (February 24), while The Guardian implies the body was ‘dumped’ but not found until February 24 (suggesting a shorter missing period)
- NEWSCOMAU reports the blue Hyundai was a 2017 model, but ABC and The Guardian do not specify the model year
- NEWSCOMAU claims the man arrested was ‘clad in nothing but his underwear’ during the raid, a detail not mentioned in ABC or The Guardian
- ABC and The Guardian do not mention the seizure of firearms or drugs during the Seven Hills raid, while NEWSCOMAU details extensive evidence recovered
- NEWSCOMAU states the woman was charged with ‘contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic)’; ABC and The Guardian do not reference this charge
Source Articles
Two more arrested over grandfather's alleged kidnapping murder
Two more people have been arrested in relation to the alleged mistaken identity kidnapping and murder of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian....
Two more people arrested over alleged Sydney kidnapping and murder of Chris Baghsarian
Man and woman assisting with inquiries after search warrant executed in Seven Hills, NSW police say Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or dai...
Alleged key player in 85yo’s murder arrested
An alleged key player in the kidnapping and murder of an 85-year-old grandfather in a suspected case of mistaken identity has been charged with murder, following major arrests....