Arrests and investigation into alleged mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder of 85yo Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian
Consensus Summary
Police in New South Wales have arrested two more people—a 23-year-old man and woman—in connection with the alleged mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, whose body was found near Pitt Town after being held captive in Dural. The arrests followed a search warrant at a Seven Hills home where firearms, drugs, and electronic devices were seized. The man, charged with murder and multiple drug and firearm offenses, is alleged to have facilitated the kidnapping, recruited others, and transported Baghsarian to the Dural property. Two men, Gerard Andrews and Daniel Stevens, were previously charged with murder and kidnapping, with both refusing bail and awaiting further court appearances. Investigators believe up to nine people were involved, with CCTV footage and a burnt-out blue Hyundai linking suspects to the crime. Baghsarian’s family has described him as a gentle and kind man, and no ransom demand was ever made. The case remains under active investigation, with police continuing to identify additional suspects.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Chris Baghsarian, 85, was allegedly kidnapped from his North Ryde home on February 13 around 5am 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 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 body disposal
- Police allege the man was physically involved in the kidnapping, present at the North Ryde address, and transported Baghsarian to a Dural property where he was held
- CCTV footage shows three men near a Dural property (alleged ‘stronghold’) 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 ever made to Baghsarian’s 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 ‘facilitated and recruited others’ to assist in the kidnapping and disposal of Baghsarian’s body
- The man was alleged to have been captured in CCTV footage ‘depicted as the male holding the mobile phone with the torch on’
- The woman was charged with contravening an AVO (Domestic Violence Order)
- Baghsarian’s cousin Arthur Hagopian described him as ‘an upbeat, kind and gentle soul who lived for his family and his grandchildren’
- Police seized ‘a significant quantity of prohibited drugs’ during the search warrant execution
- The intended target of the kidnapping was allegedly a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan
- Baghsarian’s family described him as ‘deeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person we know’
- Gerard Andrews and Daniel Stevens did not apply for bail and are due back in court in April
- The search warrant was executed at 6:30am on Wednesday morning (March 20)
- Police released CCTV footage of three men walking toward the Dural ‘stronghold’ 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 this detail is not mentioned in the other two sources
- The Guardian and ABC do not specify the exact time of the kidnapping (only NewsCorp Australia provides ‘just after 5am’)
- NewsCorp Australia reports the woman was charged with contravening an AVO, while ABC and Guardian do not mention this charge
- ABC describes Baghsarian’s family as ‘deeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person we know,’ while NewsCorp Australia’s cousin quotes ‘an upbeat, kind and gentle soul’—slightly different phrasing
- NewsCorp Australia states the man was ‘clad in nothing but his underwear’ during arrest, but this visual detail is not referenced in ABC or Guardian
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