Arrests and investigation into alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian in Sydney
Consensus Summary
Police in New South Wales have made significant progress in investigating the alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, who was taken from his North Ryde home on February 13 in what authorities believe was a case of mistaken identity. His body was discovered near a Pitt Town golf club on February 24, after being held captive for over a week. Two men, Gerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24), were charged with murder and kidnapping in February, while two additional suspectsâa 23-year-old man and womanâwere arrested on March 20 during a search warrant at a Seven Hills residence. The man was charged with murder, drug offenses, and unauthorized firearm possession, with police alleging he facilitated the kidnapping, recruited others, and arranged the disposal of Baghsarianâs body. Evidence includes CCTV footage showing three men near a Dural property, a blue Hyundai linked to the crime found burnt out at Glenbrook, and seized firearms, drugs, and electronic devices from the Seven Hills home. Investigators believe up to nine people were involved, though no ransom was demanded. Baghsarian was laid to rest on March 16, and his family described him as a gentle and kind man. The case remains under active investigation, with further arrests and court appearances expected.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Chris Baghsarian, 85, 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 on February 24, 11 days after his disappearance
- Two men, Gerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24), were arrested and charged with murder and kidnapping with intent to ransom or cause grievous bodily harm in February
- A 23-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were arrested on March 20 during a search warrant at a Seven Hills home, with firearms, drugs, and electronic devices seized
- The man arrested on March 20 was charged with murder, multiple drug offenses, unauthorized firearm possession, and facilitating the kidnapping and disposal of Baghsarianâs body
- Police allege the man was physically involved in the kidnapping, present at the North Ryde address during the abduction, and transported Baghsarian to a Dural property
- CCTV footage shows three men near a Dural property (alleged âstrongholdâ) on the night of the abduction, with one man holding a torch on his phone
- A blue Hyundai connected to the case was found burnt out at Glenbrook railway station on February 26
- Police believe up to nine people were involved in the crime
- No ransom demand was made to Baghsarianâs family
- Baghsarian was laid to rest on March 16 at Macquarie Park Cemetery in North Ryde
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks stated the man âfacilitated and recruited othersâ to assist in the kidnapping and disposal of Baghsarianâs body
- The man was alleged to have been captured in CCTV footage showing him holding a mobile phone with the torch on
- The woman was charged with contravening an AVO (Domestic) restriction
- Police allege the man was present at the North Ryde address during the abduction and transported Baghsarian to a Dural property where he was held
- The man was seen in underwear during arrest footage, and the woman was also arrested at the same property
- The man was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug (less than indictable and commercial quantity), possess prohibited drug, and fail to comply with a digital evidence access order
- The search warrant was executed at 6:30am on Wednesday morning (March 20)
- No mention of the manâs underwear during arrest or specific charges for the woman beyond general arrest context
- Police released images of a blue car (Hyundai) with a missing hubcap linked to the kidnapping
- The intended target was allegedly a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan
- Gerard Andrews and Daniel Stevens did not apply for bail and are due back in court in April
- The family described Baghsarian as âdeeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person we knowâ in a statement
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- NEWSCOMAU states the man was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug (less than indictable and commercial quantity), but ABC and GUARDIAN do not specify this detail
- NEWSCOMAU mentions the woman was charged with contravening an AVO (Domestic) restriction, while GUARDIAN and ABC do not mention this charge
- NEWSCOMAU specifies the man was seen in underwear during arrest footage, which is not mentioned in GUARDIAN or ABC
- ABC states the intended target was a relative of Dimitri Stepanyan, while NEWSCOMAU and GUARDIAN do not mention this detail
- NEWSCOMAU and ABC mention the man was alleged to have been present at the North Ryde address during the abduction, but GUARDIAN does not explicitly state this
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