Arrests and investigation into alleged 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 alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, who was mistaken for another individual during a February 13 abduction from his North Ryde home. Baghsarian’s body was found near a Pitt Town golf course 11 days later. The man, charged with murder and multiple drug and firearm offenses, is alleged to have facilitated the kidnapping, recruited others, and arranged for the victim’s body to be disposed of. He was also present during the abduction and transported Baghsarian to a Dural property where he was held captive. A blue Hyundai linked to the crime was later found burnt out at Glenbrook railway station. Two other men, Gerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24), were previously charged with murder and kidnapping. Investigators believe up to nine people were involved, and the case remains active as they seek to identify additional suspects. Baghsarian was laid to rest on March 16, with his family describing him as a gentle and kind man. While all sources agree on core details, ABC uniquely suggests the intended target was a relative of businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, and NEWSCOMAU highlights additional charges and arrest specifics not mentioned elsewhere.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Chris Baghsarian, 85, was allegedly kidnapped from his North Ryde home on February 13 in what police describe as a case of mistaken identity
- Baghsarian’s remains were found near a golf club in Pitt Town on February 24, 11 days after his disappearance
- Two men, Gerard Andrews (29) and Daniel Stevens (24), were arrested and charged with murder and kidnapping with intent to ransom or cause grievous bodily harm in February
- A 23-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were arrested on March 20 during a search warrant execution in Seven Hills, with firearms, drugs, and electronic devices seized
- The man arrested in Seven Hills was charged with murder, multiple drug offenses, unauthorized firearm possession, and facilitating the kidnapping and disposal of Baghsarian’s body
- Police allege the man was physically involved in the kidnapping, present at Baghsarian’s North Ryde home during the abduction, and transported him to a Dural property
- CCTV footage shows three men near a ‘stronghold’ in Dural on the night of the kidnapping, with one man holding a torch on his phone
- A blue Hyundai connected to the case was found burnt out at Glenbrook railway station on February 26
- Police believe up to nine people were involved in the crime
- Baghsarian was laid to rest on March 16 at Macquarie Park Cemetery in North Ryde
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks stated the man ‘facilitated and recruited others’ to assist in Baghsarian’s kidnapping and alleged he arranged for the body’s disposal
- The man was described as being captured in CCTV footage ‘depicted as the male holding the mobile phone with the torch on’
- Police allege the man was present at the North Ryde address during the abduction and transported Baghsarian to a Dural property where he was held
- The woman was charged with contravening an AVO (Domestic Violence Order)
- Inspector Marks confirmed investigators were still working to establish whether money was exchanged, including ransom demands
- The man was seen in nothing but his underwear during arrest footage, led down stairs, and escorted to Riverstone Police Station
- The search warrant was executed at 6:30am on Wednesday morning (March 20)
- No mention of the man’s underwear or specific charges for the woman beyond general arrest context
- No explicit mention of the woman’s AVO charge or the man’s alleged role in body disposal
- Police released images of a blue car (missing hubcap) linked to the kidnapping, which visited the Dural safe house
- The intended target was allegedly a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, though Baghsarian was mistaken for this person
- Baghsarian’s family stated he was ‘deeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person we know’
- Gerard Andrews and Daniel Stevens did not apply for bail and are due back in court in April
- No ransom demand or communication was received by Baghsarian’s family
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the intended target was a relative of Dimitri Stepanyan, but NEWSCOMAU and THEGUARDIAN do not mention this detail
- NEWSCOMAU specifies the woman was charged with contravening an AVO, but THEGUARDIAN does not mention this charge
- NEWSCOMAU describes the man being arrested in his underwear and escorted down stairs, while ABC and THEGUARDIAN omit this detail
- ABC notes the blue Hyundai was described as having a missing hubcap, but NEWSCOMAU and THEGUARDIAN do not mention this specific detail
- NEWSCOMAU states the man was alleged to have been captured in CCTV footage ‘holding the mobile phone with the torch on,’ while THEGUARDIAN and ABC do not specify this exact detail
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