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 the investigation into the alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, who was mistakenly targeted in a February abduction from his North Ryde home. His body was discovered near a Pitt Town golf club on February 24, and two men, Gerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24), were charged with murder and kidnapping in February. On March 13, a 23-year-old man and woman were arrested during a search warrant at a Seven Hills property, with police seizing firearms, drugs, and electronic devices. The man faces multiple charges including murder, drug offenses, and unauthorized firearm possession, with investigators alleging he facilitated the kidnapping, recruited others, and arranged the disposal of Baghsarianâs body. Police also allege he was physically involved in the abduction and transported Baghsarian to a Dural property. A blue Hyundai linked to the case was found burnt out at Glenbrook railway station, and CCTV footage shows three men near the Dural âstrongholdâ on the night of the abduction. Investigators believe up to nine people were involved, though no ransom was demanded. The family described Baghsarian as a gentle and kind man, and the case remains under active investigation with ongoing arrests and charges 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 23-year-old woman were arrested on March 13 during a search warrant execution in Seven Hills, with firearms, drugs, and electronic devices seized
- The man arrested on March 13 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
- A blue Hyundai connected to the case was found burnt out at Glenbrook railway station on February 26
- Police released CCTV footage showing three men near a Dural property (alleged âstrongholdâ) on the night of the abduction
- Investigators believe up to nine people were involved in the crime
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 alleged he arranged people to dispose of Baghsarianâs body
- The man was described as being captured in CCTV holding a mobile phone with the torch on
- Police allege the man was present at the North Ryde address during the abduction and transported Baghsarian to the Dural property where he was held
- The woman was charged with contravening a domestic violence order (AVO)
- Inspector Marks confirmed investigators were still working to establish whether money was exchanged in relation to the alleged kidnapping, including any ransom arrangements
- The man was seen in nothing but his underwear during arrest footage
- The woman was taken to Blacktown Police Station, while the man was taken to Riverstone Police Station
- 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 13)
- No mention of the manâs underwear during arrest or specific charges for the woman beyond general arrest context
- No reference to the manâs alleged role in arranging body disposal or recruitment of others
- No mention of the womanâs AVO charge or specific drug charges for the man
- Police released images of a blue car (Hyundai) they believe is involved in the kidnapping, with a missing hubcap
- It is understood police believe the intended target of the alleged kidnapping was a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan
- Mr Andrews and Mr Stevens did not apply for bail when they faced court last month and are due back in April
- The family described Mr Baghsarian as âdeeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person we knowâ in a statement
- No mention of the manâs underwear during arrest or specific charges for the woman beyond general arrest context
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 these charges
- NEWSCOMAU mentions the woman was charged with contravening a domestic violence order (AVO), while ABC and GUARDIAN do not mention this charge
- NEWSCOMAU describes the man being arrested in his underwear during footage, but ABC and GUARDIAN do not mention this detail
- ABC states the intended target was a relative of Dimitri Stepanyan, but NEWSCOMAU and GUARDIAN do not mention this detail
- NEWSCOMAU states the man was taken to Riverstone Police Station and the woman to Blacktown, while ABC and GUARDIAN do not specify this division
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