Sydney grandfather’s mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder investigation
Consensus Summary
Police have arrested Deklin James Donnelly, 23, as the alleged ringleader in the kidnapping and murder of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian, an 85-year-old mistakenly targeted in a botched abduction on February 13. Donnelly, captured on CCTV at Baghsarian’s North Ryde home and later near Dural, faces charges including murder, firearm offences, and drug supply, with police alleging he orchestrated the crime alongside up to nine others. His girlfriend, Jenessa Thurston, was arrested for unrelated violence offences. Baghsarian’s body was found near Pitt Town on February 23 after a ransom demand of $50 million was made to the Stepanyan family, who confirmed the kidnappers had the wrong man. Investigations continue into whether the plot was ordered offshore, with Donnelly’s associates Daniel Stevens and Gerard Andrews already charged. Donnelly’s home yielded illegal firearms, drugs, and court documents suggest he played a central role in Baghsarian’s torture and disposal. The family, with no crime ties, described Baghsarian as a gentle man, while police emphasize the case remains active with key figures still at large.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Deklin James Donnelly, 23, was arrested on March 20 at his Seven Hills public housing address and charged with the kidnapping and murder of Chris Baghsarian, a 85-year-old grandfather mistakenly abducted from his North Ryde home on February 13
- Donnelly was captured on CCTV at Baghsarian’s North Ryde home at the time of the kidnapping and later near an abandoned Dural home where Baghsarian was allegedly tortured and killed
- Donnelly faces charges including murder, take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasioning bodily harm, possessing an unauthorised firearm (sawn-off shotgun), and multiple drug supply offences
- Daniel Stevens, 24, and Gerard Andrews, 29, were previously charged with Baghsarian’s kidnapping and murder and remain in custody
- Baghsarian’s body was found on February 23 near a golf club on the outskirts of Pitt Town, Sydney’s northwest
- Donnelly was arrested wearing only his underwear and updated his Facebook profile picture on February 16, two days after police believe Baghsarian’s body was dumped
- Police allege up to nine people were involved in the kidnapping and murder, with investigations ongoing into whether the botched abduction was ordered offshore
- Jenessa Thurston, 23, Donnelly’s girlfriend, was arrested at the Seven Hills home and charged with breaching an apprehended violence order, later sentenced to 10 months jail for the breach and a separate assault charge
- Baghsarian’s family has no links to organised crime and described him as a kind, nonviolent man
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Donnelly was contracted to kidnap Dimitri Stepanyan’s father (a relative of Dimitri Stepanyan, linked to the Alameddine crime family), but mistakenly abducted Baghsarian instead; ransom demands of $50 million were made to the Stepanyan family, who informed kidnappers of the mistake
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks stated Donnelly was ‘one of the higher players in that crew’ and had previously organised another kidnapping
- Neighbours described Donnelly and Thurston as ‘very quiet’ and rarely seen before their arrests
- Police seized illegal firearms, ammunition, and a ‘significant amount’ of prohibited drugs at Donnelly’s home
- Donnelly’s Facebook profile picture was updated on February 16, while detectives were actively hunting Baghsarian’s killers
- Donnelly was charged with ‘take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasioning bodily harm’ (exact phrasing not in other sources)
- Superintendent Marks stated Donnelly ‘conveyed Mr Baghsarian to the stronghold in Dural where he was kept’ (specific phrasing)
- No mention of the $50 million ransom demand or Stepanyan family details
- Court documents reveal Donnelly allegedly murdered Baghsarian between February 13 morning and 9pm on February 14 (specific timeline)
- Police found an sawn-off shotgun ‘under the bed’ at Donnelly’s home during the raid (explicit location detail)
- Donnelly was charged with ‘acquire firearm without authority to do so’ (additional charge not in other sources)
- Thurston was sentenced to 10 months with a non-parole period of six months and will be released on parole in September (specific parole details)
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- SMH states Donnelly was arrested wearing only his underwear, but ABC and NEWSCOMAU do not specify his attire during arrest
- NEWSCOMAU claims Donnelly allegedly murdered Baghsarian between February 13 morning and 9pm February 14, while SMH and ABC only state the murder occurred ‘shortly after’ the kidnappers realized the mistake (no specific timeframe)
- SMH reports Donnelly was charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm and ammunition, while NEWSCOMAU adds he was charged with ‘acquire firearm without authority to do so’ (not mentioned elsewhere)
- ABC does not mention the $50 million ransom demand or the Stepanyan family’s role in confirming the mistaken identity, only that the target was a ‘relative’ of Dimitri Stepanyan
- NEWSCOMAU states Thurston was sentenced to 10 months with a non-parole period of six months, while SMH only states 10 months jail without specifying parole details
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....