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 four people in connection with 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 on February 24. Two men, 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 raid on a Seven Hills property, where police seized firearms, drugs, and electronic devices. The man faces multiple charges including murder, drug offenses, and facilitating the crime, with investigators alleging his role involved recruiting others, transporting Baghsarian, and arranging his body disposal. A blue Hyundai linked to the case was found burnt out at Glenbrook railway station, and CCTV footage shows suspects near a Dural property used as a âstronghold.â Despite the arrests, police believe up to nine people were involved, and no ransom was demanded. Baghsarian was described as a beloved family man, and his funeral was held on March 16. While sources agree on core details, discrepancies include the timing of body discovery, charges against the woman, and the identity of the intended kidnapping target.
â Verified by 2+ sources
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 menâGerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24)âwere arrested and charged with murder and kidnapping with intent to ransom or cause grievous bodily harm in February
- Two more peopleâa 23-year-old man and a 23-year-old womanâwere arrested on March 13 during a search warrant at a Seven Hills home
- Police seized firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, prohibited weapons, a significant quantity of prohibited drugs, and electronic devices during the Seven Hills raid
- The man arrested was charged with murder, multiple drug offenses, unauthorized firearm possession, and facilitating the kidnapping and body disposal
- A blue Hyundai connected to the case was found burnt out at Glenbrook railway station on February 26
- CCTV footage released by police shows three men near a Dural property (alleged âstrongholdâ) on the night of the abduction, with one man holding a torch on his phone
- Police allege the suspect group involved up to nine people in total
- No ransom demand was ever made to Baghsarianâs family
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The 23-year-old man was charged with âfacilitating and recruiting othersâ to assist in the kidnapping and detention, arranging body disposal, and being physically involved in the abduction
- The man was alleged to have been captured in CCTV footage as the male holding the mobile phone with the torch on
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks explicitly stated the man was present at the North Ryde address during the abduction and transported Baghsarian to the Dural property
- The woman was charged with contravening an AVO (domestic violence order)
- The man was seen in underwear during police escort footage, and the blue Hyundai was identified as the same vehicle seen near the Dural property
- Family member Arthur Hagopian described Baghsarian as âan upbeat, kind and gentle soul who lived for his family and his grandchildrenâ
- The funeral was held on March 16 at Macquarie Park Cemetery, with Baghsarian mourned at the Armenian Lawn
- The intended target of the kidnapping was allegedly a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan
- The family described Baghsarian as âdeeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person we knowâ
- Gerard Andrews and Daniel Stevens did not apply for bail when they faced court in April
- Baghsarianâs body was not found until February 24, despite being dumped days earlier
- 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 suggests the intended target was a relative of Dimitri Stepanyan, but this detail is not mentioned in the other two sources
- The Guardian states Baghsarianâs body was not found until February 24 despite being dumped days earlier, while NSWCOMAU states it was found on February 24 (11 days after abduction) without specifying discovery timing
- NSWCOMAU reports the woman was charged with contravening an AVO, but ABC and the Guardian do not mention this charge
- ABC notes Andrews and Stevens did not apply for bail in April, but NSWCOMAU does not mention bail proceedings or timing
- The Guardianâs phrasing âbody was dumped days later, but was not found until February 24â could imply a delay in discovery, while NSWCOMAUâs timeline is more precise (February 24 as discovery date)
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