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 made two new arrests in the alleged mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, who was taken from his North Ryde home on February 13 and found dead near Pitt Town 11 days later. Gerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24) were charged in February with murder and kidnapping, while a 23-year-old man and woman were arrested on March 13 during a Seven Hills raid, with the man facing multiple charges including murder, firearms offences, and drug supply. All sources confirm the case involved a case of mistaken identity, no ransom demand, and a blue Hyundai linked to the crime, though details on the vehicleâs make vary. Investigators believe up to nine people were involved, with the Dural property acting as a âstrongholdâ for the captors. Baghsarianâs family described him as a gentle man, and his funeral took place on March 16. While most facts align, discrepancies include the intended targetâs identity, the manâs attire during arrest, and the precise phrasing of the bodyâs discovery location.
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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, northwest Sydney, on February 24 (discovered after 11 days)
- Two menâGerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24)âwere charged with murder and kidnapping with intent to ransom on February 14
- Two additional suspectsâa 23-year-old man and a 23-year-old womanâwere arrested on March 13 during a search warrant at Seven Hills
- Police released CCTV footage showing three men near a Dural property (alleged âstrongholdâ) on the night of the abduction
- A blue Hyundai sedan (missing hubcap) was linked to the kidnapping and later found burnt out at Glenbrook railway station on February 26
- No ransom demand or communication was made to Baghsarianâs family
- 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 âdeeply loved, gentle, and the kindest personâ who would ânever hurt a flyâ
- 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
- Intended target was allegedly a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan
- During the Seven Hills search, 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 with intent to ransom, possession of unauthorised firearms, drug supply (three counts), and digital evidence offences
- The woman was charged with breaching an AVO (Domestic)
- Detective Marks alleged the man âfacilitated and recruited others,â arranged body disposal, and was physically involved in the kidnapping
- The man was captured in CCTV footage holding a torch-lit phone near the Dural property
- Police believe up to nine people were involved in the crime
- Investigators are still determining if any money was exchanged (ransom or otherwise)
- Baghsarianâs body was not found until February 24 (11 days after abduction)
- Police released CCTV footage of three men walking toward the Dural âstrongholdâ and a blue Hyundai with a missing hubcap
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the intended target was a relative of Dimitri Stepanyan, but NEWSCOMAU does not mention this detail
- NEWSCOMAU reports the man was arrested in ânothing but his underwear,â while ABC and Guardian do not specify his attire
- NEWSCOMAU claims the blue Hyundai was a Hyundai sedan, but ABC only refers to it as a âblue carâ without specifying the make
- NEWSCOMAU states the man was âphysically involved in the kidnapping and detentionâ and âpresent at North Ryde during abduction,â while ABC does not detail his specific role
- NEWSCOMAU reports the body was found ânear a golf club in Pitt Townâ (consistent with others), but ABC specifies ânear a Pitt Town golf clubâ (slightly more precise phrasing)
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