Arrests and investigation into mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian in Sydney
Consensus Summary
Police in New South Wales have arrested two more people—a 23-year-old man and woman—in connection with the mistaken-identity kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, who was abducted from his North Ryde home on 13 February. His body was discovered near a Pitt Town golf club on 24 February after being dumped days earlier. Two men, Gerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24), were previously charged with murder and kidnapping with intent to ransom, with neither applying for bail. Investigations reveal a case of mistaken identity, as the captors targeted a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan. Police have released CCTV footage of three men near a Dural property and described a blue Hyundai sedan with a missing hubcap as key to the case. No ransom demand was made, and Baghsarian’s family has described him as a gentle, beloved grandfather. The arrests followed a search warrant in Seven Hills, with ongoing inquiries into the alleged torture of Baghsarian in a safe house. Andrews and Stevens are due back in court in April, while the broader investigation continues.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Two additional people (a 23-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman) were arrested on 20 March 2024 in Seven Hills during a search warrant execution
- Gerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24) were charged on 24 February 2024 with murder and kidnapping with intent to ransom in relation to Chris Baghsarian’s death
- Chris Baghsarian (85) was allegedly kidnapped from his North Ryde home on 13 February 2024 in a case of mistaken identity
- Baghsarian’s body was found near a golf club in Pitt Town on 24 February 2024, over 10 days after his abduction
- Police released CCTV footage showing three men near a Dural property (alleged ‘stronghold’) on the night of the kidnapping
- A blue Hyundai sedan with a missing hubcap is linked to the kidnapping by police
- No ransom demand or communication was made to Baghsarian’s family by the captors
- Andrews and Stevens did not apply for bail and are due back in court in April 2024
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Police released images of a blue car (unspecified make) believed involved in the kidnapping
- Family described Baghsarian as ‘deeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person’ in a statement
- Videos and images circulated showing Baghsarian allegedly tortured in a Dural safe house
- Intended target was a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan (mentioned explicitly)
- Baghsarian’s remains were found ‘more than 10 days later’ (emphasis on timeline)
- Search warrant executed at 6:30am on Wednesday morning (20 March 2024)
- CCTV footage showed three men walking *towards* the Dural site on the night of the kidnapping
- Blue Hyundai sedan with a *missing hubcap* was highlighted (specific vehicle detail)
- Baghsarian’s body was dumped near the golf club but *not found until 24 February* (emphasis on discovery delay)
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the intended target was a relative of Dimitri Stepanyan, but The Guardian does not mention this detail
- ABC describes the blue car as ‘unspecified make,’ while The Guardian specifies a ‘blue Hyundai sedan with a missing hubcap’
- ABC emphasizes Baghsarian was allegedly tortured in a Dural safe house via ‘videos and images,’ but The Guardian only references CCTV footage of three men near the site
- The Guardian notes the search warrant was executed at 6:30am on Wednesday, while ABC does not specify the exact time
- ABC states Baghsarian’s remains were found ‘more than 10 days later,’ while The Guardian clarifies the body was dumped but *not found until 24 February* (implying a longer undetected period)
Source Articles
Two more arrested over grandfather's alleged kidnapping murder
Two more people have been arrested in relation to the alleged mistaken identity kidnapping and murder of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian....
Two more people arrested over alleged Sydney kidnapping and murder of Chris Baghsarian
Man and woman assisting with inquiries after search warrant executed in Seven Hills, NSW police say Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or dai...