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 near a Pitt Town golf course 11 days later, with investigators confirming the abduction was a botched attempt to target Dimitri Stepanyan’s father, a businessman linked to the Alameddine crime family. Donnelly was charged with murder, kidnapping, firearms offences, and drug supply, while his girlfriend, Jenessa Thurston, was sentenced for unrelated violence offences. Two other men, Gerard Andrews and Daniel Stevens, remain in custody for their roles in the crime. Authorities allege up to nine people were involved, with ongoing investigations into possible offshore coordination. Donnelly’s arrest at a Seven Hills property yielded an sawn-off shotgun, ammunition, and prohibited drugs, while his Facebook activity post-abduction has drawn scrutiny. The case highlights a tragic error in a high-stakes kidnapping plot, leaving Baghsarian’s family devastated by the mistaken violence.
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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 abducted from North Ryde on February 13.
- Baghsarian’s body was found near a golf course in Pitt Town on February 24, 11 days after his abduction.
- Donnelly was found wearing only his underwear during his arrest, and an sawn-off shotgun, ammunition, and prohibited drugs (heroin, methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis) were allegedly found at the Seven Hills property.
- Donnelly was denied bail and will next appear in Blacktown Local Court on May 22.
- Gerard Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, were charged in February with Baghsarian’s kidnapping and murder and remain in custody.
- Jenessa Thurston, 23, Donnelly’s girlfriend, was arrested alongside him and sentenced to 10 months imprisonment (non-parole 6 months) for an apprehended violence order breach and a prior police assault.
- Police allege the kidnapping was a case of mistaken identity, targeting Dimitri Stepanyan’s father instead of Baghsarian, with a $50 million ransom demanded.
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks confirmed Donnelly was a ‘major player’ in the plot and was captured on CCTV at Baghsarian’s home during the abduction.
- 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 on February 14, with his body disposed of shortly after.
- Donnelly’s charges include ‘take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm,’ ‘possess unauthorised firearm,’ ‘acquire firearm without authority,’ and three counts of supply prohibited drug.
- Thurston was arrested for an ‘apprehended violence order breach’ and a ‘2025 matter’ involving assaulting a police officer during duty execution.
- Donnelly updated his Facebook profile picture on February 16 (two days after Baghsarian’s body was dumped and while police were searching), eight days before the body was found.
- Neighbours described Donnelly and Thurston as ‘very quiet’ and rarely seen before their arrests.
- Detective Marks stated Donnelly was ‘contracted to kidnap Dimitri Stepanyan’s father’ but ‘mistakenly abducted Baghsarian.’
- Police seized ‘illegal firearms and firearms parts’ at Donnelly’s home, not just an sawn-off shotgun.
- Baghsarian’s family is described as having ‘no links to organised crime’ and is ‘distraught’ over his death.
- Superintendent Marks stated Donnelly ‘conveyed Mr Baghsarian to the stronghold in Dural where he was kept,’ but ABC does not specify the exact location of the ‘stronghold.’
- ABC notes Donnelly was ‘not required to appear’ for his matter on Thursday, implying a procedural detail not emphasized in other sources.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- NEWSCOMAU states Donnelly allegedly murdered Baghsarian between February 13 morning and 9pm on February 14, while SMH does not specify a timeframe for the murder but implies it occurred shortly after the kidnappers realized the wrong man was taken.
- SMH reports Donnelly updated his Facebook profile on February 16 (two days after the body was dumped), but NEWSCOMAU does not mention this detail.
- NEWSCOMAU lists three drug supply charges against Donnelly, while SMH only mentions ‘drug supply offences’ without specifying counts.
- SMH describes the seized items as ‘illegal firearms and firearms parts,’ whereas NEWSCOMAU only mentions an ‘sawn-off shotgun’ and ammunition.
- ABC does not mention the $50 million ransom demand or the identity of Dimitri Stepanyan’s father as the intended target, which is detailed in SMH and NEWSCOMAU.
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....