Arrest of Deklin Donnelly in Sydney grandfather’s mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder case
Consensus Summary
Police have arrested Deklin Donnelly, 23, in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Chris Baghsarian, an 85-year-old Sydney grandfather mistakenly targeted in a botched abduction plot. Donnelly was charged with murder, kidnapping, and multiple firearm and drug offences after police found an sawn-off shotgun and prohibited drugs at his Seven Hills home. He was arrested wearing only his underwear and has been remanded in custody without bail, with his next court appearance set for May 22. Two other men, Gerard Andrews and Daniel Stevens, were previously charged with the same crimes and remain in custody. Investigations suggest up to nine people were involved, with Donnelly described as a key organizer who allegedly conveyed Baghsarian to a Dural location where he was tortured and killed. Police allege the kidnapping was a case of mistaken identity, targeting Dimitri Stepanyan’s father instead of Baghsarian, with a $50 million ransom demanded before the captors realized their error. Donnelly’s girlfriend, Jenessa Thurston, was also arrested and sentenced for unrelated violence offences. Neighbours described the couple as reclusive before their arrests, and detectives continue probing possible offshore involvement in the plot. Baghsarian’s family, with no ties to organized crime, remains devastated by the killing of a beloved community member.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Deklin Donnelly, 23, was arrested on March 6 at a Seven Hills home in Sydney’s west, charged with murder and kidnapping of Chris Baghsarian, 85, who was abducted from North Ryde on February 13 and found dead near Pitt Town golf course on February 24.
- Donnelly was found wearing only his underwear during the arrest, with an sawn-off shotgun allegedly found under his bed at the Seven Hills property, along with ammunition and prohibited drugs (heroin, methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis).
- Gerard Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, were charged on March 5 with murder and kidnapping of Baghsarian, and remain in custody without entering pleas.
- Jenessa Thurston, 23, Donnelly’s girlfriend, was arrested alongside him and sentenced to 10 months imprisonment (non-parole period of 6 months) for an apprehended violence order breach and assaulting a police officer.
- Police allege the kidnapping was a case of mistaken identity, targeting Dimitri Stepanyan’s father (who lived three doors down from Baghsarian) but abducting Baghsarian instead, with a $50 million ransom demanded.
- Donnelly was remanded in custody on March 7 after not applying for bail, with his next court appearance scheduled for May 22.
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks stated up to nine people were involved in the kidnapping and murder, and investigations are ongoing into possible offshore involvement.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Donnelly allegedly murdered Baghsarian between February 13 morning and 9pm on February 14, with his body disposed of shortly after the captors realized the wrong man was taken.
- Donnelly was charged with ‘take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm’ and three counts of supply prohibited drug.
- Thurston was arrested for an ‘apprehended violence order breach’ and a ‘2025 matter’ involving assaulting a police officer, with no suggestion of her involvement in Baghsarian’s death.
- Donnelly’s Facebook profile picture was updated on February 16, two days after police believe Baghsarian’s body was dumped and eight days before it was found.
- Superintendent Andrew Marks described Donnelly as a ‘major player’ in the kidnapping plot and alleged he ‘conveyed Mr Baghsarian to the stronghold in Dural where he was kept.’
- The ABC noted Donnelly was not required to appear in court on March 7 but was remanded in custody without bail.
- The ABC emphasized Donnelly was a ‘major player’ in the ‘mistaken identity kidnapping’ and that police allege he was present at Baghsarian’s North Ryde home during the abduction.
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks stated Donnelly was ‘contracted to kidnap Dimitri Stepanyan’s father’ but ‘mistakenly abducted Baghsarian,’ with demands for a $50 million ransom made to the Stepanyan family.
- Marks described Donnelly as ‘one of the higher players in that crew’ and noted he was captured on CCTV at Baghsarian’s home during the abduction and later near an abandoned Dural home where Baghsarian was tortured.
- The SMH included quotes from neighbours describing Donnelly and Thurston as ‘very quiet’ and rarely seen before their arrests.
- Marks stated it was ‘not known if Donnelly had received payment for the kidnapping’ and that Baghsarian’s family has no links to organised crime.
- The SMH mentioned Donnelly updated his Facebook profile picture on February 16 while police were actively hunting Baghsarian’s killers.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- NEWSCOMAU states Donnelly was charged with ‘take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm,’ while ABC and SMH only mention ‘take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasioning bodily harm’ (no ‘actual’).
- SMH claims Donnelly was ‘contracted to kidnap Dimitri Stepanyan’s father’ and that the kidnapping was ‘ordered offshore,’ which is not explicitly stated in NEWSCOMAU or ABC.
- NEWSCOMAU mentions Donnelly allegedly murdered Baghsarian between February 13 morning and 9pm on February 14, while SMH does not specify this exact timeline for the murder.
- ABC does not mention the $50 million ransom demand or the Stepanyan family’s role in confirming the mistaken identity, which is detailed in SMH.
- NEWSCOMAU states Thurston was arrested for an ‘apprehended violence order breach’ and a ‘2025 matter,’ while SMH specifies she was arrested for an AVO breach and assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty.
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