Sydney grandfather’s mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder investigation
Consensus Summary
Police have arrested Deklin James Donnelly, 23, as the alleged ringleader in the botched kidnapping and murder of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian, 85, who was mistakenly targeted in a plot intended for Dimitri Stepanyan. Baghsarian was abducted from his North Ryde home on February 13 and his body was found near a Pitt Town golf course on February 23. Donnelly was charged with murder, kidnapping, firearms offences, and drug supply, while two accomplices, Gerard Andrews and Daniel Stevens, remain in custody for the same crimes. Police allege Donnelly recruited others, including Stevens, and was captured on CCTV at Baghsarian’s home and later near Dural where the victim was tortured. An sawn-off shotgun, ammunition, and prohibited drugs were seized at Donnelly’s Seven Hills home, where he was arrested wearing only his underwear. Investigations suggest up to nine people may have been involved, with possible offshore coordination. Donnelly’s girlfriend, Jenessa Thurston, was arrested for breaching a violence restraining order and sentenced to 10 months in jail. The case highlights a tragic mistake in a criminal plot targeting a man with no links to organised crime, leaving his family devastated.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Deklin James Donnelly, 23, was arrested on March 20 at his Seven Hills public housing address for his alleged role in the kidnapping and murder of Chris Baghsarian, 85, a Sydney grandfather.
- Donnelly was charged with Baghsarian’s kidnapping and murder, possessing an unauthorised firearm and ammunition, and drug supply offences (SMH, ABC, NEWSCOMAU).
- Baghsarian was abducted from his North Ryde home on February 13 and his body was found near a Pitt Town golf course on February 23 (SMH, ABC, NEWSCOMAU).
- Gerard Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, were previously charged with Baghsarian’s kidnapping and murder and remain in custody (SMH, ABC, NEWSCOMAU).
- Donnelly was captured on CCTV at Baghsarian’s home at the time of the kidnapping and later near an abandoned Dural home where Baghsarian was allegedly tortured (SMH).
- Donnelly was arrested wearing only his underwear and updated his Facebook profile picture on February 16, two days after police believe Baghsarian’s body was dumped (SMH).
- Police allege Donnelly was a ‘major player’ in the plot, recruiting others to facilitate the kidnapping and disposal of Baghsarian’s body (SMH, ABC).
- Up to nine people are suspected of involvement in the botched abduction, with investigations ongoing into possible offshore involvement (SMH, ABC).
- Jenessa Thurston, 23, Donnelly’s girlfriend, was arrested and charged with breaching an apprehended violence order, sentenced to 10 months jail (SMH, ABC, NEWSCOMAU).
- Police seized an sawn-off shotgun, ammunition, and prohibited drugs (heroin, methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis) at Donnelly’s Seven Hills home (SMH, NEWSCOMAU).
- Donnelly did not apply for bail and will next appear in Blacktown Local Court on May 22 (ABC, NEWSCOMAU).
- The kidnapping was allegedly intended for Dimitri Stepanyan, 37, a Sydney businessman linked to the Alameddine crime family, who lives three doors down from Baghsarian (SMH).
- A $50 million ransom was demanded from the Stepanyan family, who informed kidnappers they had the wrong man (SMH).
- Baghsarian’s body was dumped on the outskirts of a golf club at Pitt Town (SMH, ABC, NEWSCOMAU)
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks stated Donnelly was ‘involved in organising the kidnapping of another person, but took Mr Baghsarian, and he was one of the higher players in that crew’ (quote).
- Neighbours described Donnelly and Thurston as ‘very quiet’ and rarely seen before their arrests.
- Police allege Donnelly was captured on CCTV at Baghsarian’s home at the time of the kidnapping and later near an abandoned Dural home where Baghsarian was tortured and killed.
- Detective Marks said it was not known if Donnelly had received payment for the kidnapping.
- Baghsarian’s family is described as ‘distraught’ and ‘the kindest person they knew, someone who would never hurt a fly’ in a family statement.
- Superintendent Andrew Marks stated police allege Donnelly ‘conveyed Mr Baghsarian to the stronghold in Dural where he was kept’ (quote).
- Donnelly was not required to appear for his matter at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday but was remanded in custody to appear in May.
- The ABC notes Donnelly did not apply for bail and will front court again in May, but does not specify the exact date.
- The sawn-off shotgun was found ‘under the bed’ as officers stormed the Seven Hills home (courthouse documents).
- Donnelly was allegedly murdered between the morning of February 13 and 9pm on February 14 (court documents).
- Ms Thurston was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment with a non-parole period of six months and will be released on parole in September.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- SMH states Donnelly was arrested on Wednesday morning, but NEWSCOMAU does not specify the exact time of arrest beyond ‘early Wednesday morning’.
- SMH reports Donnelly was arrested wearing only his underwear and updated his Facebook profile picture on February 16, but ABC does not mention the underwear detail or Facebook update.
- SMH states Donnelly was charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm and ammunition, and drug supply offences, while NEWSCOMAU lists six specific firearm and drug charges (including three counts of supply prohibited drug).
- SMH mentions police allege Donnelly was captured on CCTV at Baghsarian’s home and later near an abandoned Dural home, but ABC does not specify the Dural detail.
- NEWSCOMAU states Donnelly allegedly murdered Baghsarian between February 13 morning and 9pm February 14, while SMH does not specify a timeframe for the murder.
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....
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....
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....