Two Men Charged Over Sydney Grandfather's Kidnap and Murder
Two men were charged after 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian was taken from his North Ryde home on 13 February and later found dead near a Pitt Town golf course.
Overview
Two men, Daniel Stevens, 24, and Gerard Andrews, 29, were charged with murder and detaining a person with intent to ransom, occasioning actual bodily harm, police said.
Chris Baghsarian, 85, was taken from his North Ryde home on 13 February and his remains were later found near a golf course in Pitt Town, police said.
Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks said he believed the men were part of a joint criminal enterprise and that Baghsarian was taken in a case of mistaken identity.
The suspects were arrested at addresses in Kenthurst and Castle Hill and police said a $50 million ransom had reportedly been the figure sought and that more people may be involved.
Police said searches continue for other people involved, and a lawyer said a brief of evidence should be provided within eight weeks.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this case neutrally: they report chronological facts, attribute emotional or evaluative lines to police or local media, and avoid activist language. Coverage focuses on verified details (arrests, charges, forensic confirmation), notes the mistaken-identity claim as reported, and records family privacy requests and police appeals for witnesses.
FAQ
According to police, Chris Baghsarian was taken in a case of mistaken identity, meaning he was not the intended target of the kidnapping. The family of the actual intended target allegedly has links to the Alamodine crime family, and they received a $50 million ransom demand. However, the search results do not specify the exact details of how the mistake occurred or the identity of the person who was actually supposed to be kidnapped.
Police arrested a 24-year-old man and a 29-year-old man following three search warrants executed at properties in Kenthurst, Castle Hill, and Lake Macquarie on Wednesday morning. The Raptor Squad, which targets serious and organised crime, supported detectives in carrying out these operations. However, the specific evidence that led to their identification is not detailed in the available search results.
Yes, police believe there may be others involved in the crime. Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks indicated the men were part of a "joint criminal enterprise," and investigations are ongoing to identify and locate additional suspects who may have participated in the kidnapping and murder.
According to the information provided, a lawyer stated that a brief of evidence should be provided within eight weeks. Both men appeared in Blacktown Local Court on Thursday and were refused bail, meaning they remain in custody while the case proceeds through the legal system.
Police discovered Chris Baghsarian's remains on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, near a golf club in Pitt Town, approximately 11 days after his initial kidnapping on February 13. Videos and photos obtained by local media reportedly showed Baghsarian with serious injuries, including a severed finger, before his death.
