Arrests and charges in Sydney grandfather’s mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder case
Consensus Summary
Police have arrested Deklin Jake Donnelly 23 charged with murder and kidnapping in the case of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian who was mistakenly abducted and killed in February 2024. Donnelly is alleged to be a key organizer in the botched kidnapping plot targeting Dimitri Stepanyan’s father instead of Baghsarian a relative of a known criminal. Authorities believe up to nine people were involved and seized illegal firearms drugs and evidence from Donnelly’s Seven Hills home where he was found wearing only underwear. Donnelly’s girlfriend Jenessa Thurston was also arrested for unrelated violence offenses and sentenced to 10 months jail. Two other men Gerard Andrews 29 and Daniel Stevens 24 remain in custody charged with the same crimes. Baghsarian’s body was discovered near a Pitt Town golf course after being held captive for nearly a week. Donnelly’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 22 with no bail granted. Investigations continue into possible offshore involvement and the full extent of the criminal network.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Deklin Jake Donnelly (23) was arrested at a Seven Hills property on March 2024 over Chris Baghsarian’s alleged abduction and murder
- Donnelly was charged with murder and take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasioning bodily harm (ABC, SMH, NEWSCOMAU)
- Gerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24) were previously charged with the same offenses in relation to Baghsarian’s death (ABC, SMH, NEWSCOMAU)
- Baghsarian (85) was abducted from his North Ryde home on February 13, 2024, and his body was found near a Pitt Town golf course on February 23 (ABC, SMH, NEWSCOMAU)
- Donnelly was arrested wearing only his underwear at the Seven Hills property (SMH, NEWSCOMAU)
- Donnelly’s girlfriend Jenessa Thurston (23) was arrested for breaching an apprehended violence order and sentenced to 10 months jail (ABC, SMH, NEWSCOMAU)
- Police allege up to nine people were involved in the kidnapping and murder (ABC, SMH)
- Donnelly faces multiple firearm and drug charges including possession of an unauthorised shotgun (SMH, NEWSCOMAU)
- Donnelly’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 22 (ABC, NEWSCOMAU)
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Superintendent Andrew Marks stated Donnelly was alleged to have ‘conveyed Mr Baghsarian to the stronghold in Dural where he was kept’ (exact quote)
- Donnelly’s Facebook profile picture was updated on February 16 (two days after alleged body dump) while police were investigating
- Neighbours described Donnelly and Thurston as ‘very quiet’ and rarely seen before their arrests
- Police allege Donnelly was a ‘major player’ in the ‘mistaken identity kidnapping’ (exact phrasing)
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks stated Donnelly was ‘contracted to kidnap Dimitri Stepanyan’s father’ (exact phrasing)
- Demands for a $50 million ransom were made to the Stepanyan family, who informed kidnappers of the mistake
- Donnelly allegedly recruited Stevens and Andrews to help with the kidnapping
- Police seized ‘illegal firearms and firearms parts, ammunition, and a significant amount of prohibited drugs’ at Donnelly’s home (exact phrasing)
- Donnelly’s arrest occurred at his ‘public housing address’ in Seven Hills
- Detectives allege Donnelly was captured on CCTV at Baghsarian’s home at the time of the kidnapping
- An sawn-off shotgun was found under Donnelly’s bed during the raid (exact phrasing)
- Court documents state Donnelly allegedly murdered Baghsarian between February 13 morning and February 14 9pm
- Police officers found Donnelly and Thurston in the main bedroom during the raid
- Donnelly faces three counts of supply prohibited drug (heroin, methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis)
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states Donnelly was arrested on Wednesday (March 2024), but does not specify the exact date; SMH and NEWSCOMAU imply it was a recent arrest in early March without a date
- SMH says Donnelly was ‘contracted to kidnap Dimitri Stepanyan’s father’ while ABC and NEWSCOMAU do not mention this specific detail about the intended target
- ABC reports Donnelly did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody, but does not specify if bail was refused or declined; SMH and NEWSCOMAU state bail was ‘refused’ by police
- NEWSCOMAU states Donnelly was arrested ‘wearing only his underwear’ while ABC and SMH do not specify his attire during arrest
- SMH mentions Donnelly allegedly updated his Facebook profile picture on February 16 while police were investigating, but ABC and NEWSCOMAU do not include this detail
Source Articles
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....
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....
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....