Two Arrested for Alleged Murder and Kidnap of Sydney Grandfather

Detectives have arrested two men in connection with the alleged murder and kidnapping of 85-year-old grandfather Chris Baghsarian in Sydney. A 29-year-old man was apprehended in Kenthurst, while a 24-year-old man was taken into custody in Castle Hill on the morning of March 15, 2024. Both suspects have been transported to a local police station for questioning regarding the incident.

The arrests follow a harrowing incident that occurred approximately 11 days prior when three men broke into Baghsarian’s home in northwest Sydney, forcibly abducting him in the middle of the night. Authorities believe the intended target of the abduction was a relative of Dimitri Stepanyan, an individual linked to organized crime, who resides on the same street as Baghsarian.

This reckless case has drawn considerable outrage from law enforcement and the public alike. Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks expressed the collective anger over the situation, stating, “I speak for not only the police but the public in general, that we’re outraged at this happening and the recklessness of these people. We will endeavour and use every resource we have to identify those responsible and bring them before the courts.”

Police had repeatedly communicated to the kidnappers that they had the wrong individual and had urged them to release Baghsarian, who required daily medication. Tragically, police believe they have located the remains of Baghsarian near a golf club in Pitt Town, a semi-rural area on Sydney’s northern outskirts. This discovery followed reports from the public about a vehicle connected to the investigation spotted in the vicinity shortly after Baghsarian’s disappearance.

While detectives have not yet formally identified the body, they suspect it is Baghsarian’s due to forensic links to a previous search site in Dural.

The investigation highlighted concerning trends of organized crime targeting family members of rival gang members. Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy condemned this practice as “ridiculously disgusting,” expressing his disdain for criminals who resort to violence against innocent relatives. His comments were made in the context of a broader investigation concerning the shooting of former rugby league star Matt Utai, who was caught in the crossfire of escalating gang conflicts.

Abdy remarked, “Criminals throughout history have been known to retaliate against rival gangs, but this escalation into what appears to be targeting innocent members of particular families is utterly reprehensible. These are ordinarily innocent people now being targeted by violent criminal syndicates, having no association with the criminality of their family members.”

In the aftermath of Utai’s shooting, a man and a teenager have been charged with attempted murder. The ongoing investigations into both incidents highlight the troubling rise in violence linked to organized crime in Sydney, prompting law enforcement to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable individuals from the fallout of gang-related activities.

As the situation develops, authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward, reinforcing their commitment to ensuring justice for victims of such heinous acts.