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 kidnapping and murder of Chris Baghsarian, an 85-year-old Sydney grandfather mistakenly targeted instead of Dimitri Stepanyan’s father. Donnelly was arrested at a Seven Hills home on March 6, where officers found an sawn-off shotgun under his bed along with prohibited drugs and ammunition. Baghsarian was abducted from his North Ryde home on February 13 and his body was discovered near a Pitt Town golf course on February 24. Donnelly faces charges including murder, kidnapping with intent to ransom, and multiple firearm and drug offences, while his girlfriend, Jenessa Thurston, was sentenced for unrelated violence offences. Authorities allege Donnelly recruited others, including Daniel Stevens and Gerard Andrews, who were charged separately, and believe up to nine people were involved in the plot. Investigations continue into possible offshore coordination, though it remains unclear if Donnelly received payment for the botched abduction. Baghsarian’s family has no ties to organised crime, and the case highlights a tragic case of mistaken identity in a violent crime.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
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, with an sawn-off shotgun allegedly hidden under his bed at the Seven Hills property.
- Police allege Donnelly was a ringleader in the kidnapping plot, recruiting others including Daniel Stevens (24) and Gerard Andrews (29), who were charged separately on March 5.
- Jenessa Thurston, 23, Donnelly’s girlfriend, was arrested alongside him and sentenced to 10 months imprisonment (6-month non-parole) for an apprehended violence order breach and prior police assault charges.
- Donnelly faces charges including murder, kidnapping with intent to ransom, possessing an unauthorised firearm, ammunition, and multiple drug supply offences (heroin, methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis).
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks confirmed Donnelly was captured on CCTV at Baghsarian’s home during the abduction and later near an abandoned Dural home where Baghsarian was allegedly tortured.
- Police believe up to nine people were involved in the kidnapping and murder, with investigations ongoing into possible offshore involvement.
- Donnelly’s Facebook profile picture was updated on February 16, two days after Baghsarian’s body was allegedly dumped and while police were actively searching for him.
- Baghsarian was mistakenly targeted instead of Dimitri Stepanyan’s father, a relative of the Alameddine crime family, with a $50 million ransom demanded before the error was realised.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Donnelly allegedly murdered Baghsarian between February 13 morning and 9pm on February 14, with the body disposed of shortly after.
- Donnelly was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug (heroin, methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis) and additional firearm offences (acquire firearm without authority, possess ammunition without license).
- Gerard Andrews and Daniel Stevens were charged last month (February) with murder and kidnapping, but no plea entered yet.
- Thurston was arrested for an apprehended violence order breach and a 2025 matter involving assaulting a police officer during duty execution.
- Donnelly was contracted to kidnap Dimitri Stepanyan’s father (a relative of the Alameddine crime family) but mistakenly abducted Baghsarian, who lived three doors down.
- Detective Marks stated Donnelly was ‘one of the higher players in that crew’ and ‘involved in organising the kidnapping of another person’ before targeting Baghsarian.
- Neighbours described Donnelly and Thurston as ‘very quiet’ and rarely seen before their arrests, having moved into the property a few weeks prior.
- Police seized ‘illegal firearms and firearms parts’ in addition to the sawn-off shotgun and ammunition at Donnelly’s home.
- Marks mentioned it was not known if Donnelly received payment for the kidnapping and hinted at possible offshore involvement in the botched abduction.
- Superintendent Marks stated Donnelly ‘conveyed Mr Baghsarian to the stronghold in Dural where he was kept’ during a press conference.
- No mention of the $50 million ransom demand or Dimitri Stepanyan’s family connection in the ABC article.
- ABC did not specify the exact date of Stevens and Andrews’ initial charges (only referred to ‘the following day’ after Donnelly’s arrest).
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- NEWSCOMAU states Donnelly allegedly murdered Baghsarian between February 13 morning and 9pm on February 14, while SMH implies the killing occurred shortly after the captors realised they had the wrong man (no specific timeframe given).
- SMH reports Donnelly was contracted to kidnap Dimitri Stepanyan’s father (a relative of the Alameddine crime family), but NEWSCOMAU does not mention this specific motive or crime family connection.
- SMH describes Donnelly as ‘one of the higher players in that crew’ and states he was ‘involved in organising the kidnapping of another person,’ while ABC’s headline and summary do not emphasize his leadership role as prominently.
- NEWSCOMAU lists three counts of drug supply charges (heroin, methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis), while SMH only mentions ‘a significant amount of prohibited drugs’ without specifying counts or types beyond the shotgun and ammunition.
- ABC does not mention the $50 million ransom demand made to Stepanyan’s family, which is detailed in SMH as a key part of the botched abduction plot.
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....