‘Never hurt a fly’: Chris Baghsarian’s family pay tribute as accused killers face court

The 85-year-old went missing from his Sydney home nearly two weeks ago, in what police believe was a mistaken identity kidnapping.

Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian was allegedly kidnapped from his home in North Ryde earlier this month. Source: Supplied / NSW Police

In brief

Police said on Wednesday that human remains found during the investigation belonged to Baghsarian.
Two men charged with his alleged kidnapping and murder faced court on Thursday.

Two men charged by police in relation to the alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian have faced court.

Gerard Anthony Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, appeared via video link in a Sydney court on Thursday, charged with killing Baghsarian.

The two suspects were arrested in the early hours of Wednesday and taken to a local police station, where they were charged with murder and take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm.

Baghsarian was allegedly kidnapped from his home almost two weeks ago, in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity.

Human remains were located about at 8am on Tuesday near a golf club in Pitt Town, in Sydney’s north-west, according to state authorities. On Wednesday afternoon, authorities confirmed the remains belonged to Baghsarian.

Police believe Baghsarian was killed at a makeshift stronghold in the semi-rural Sydney suburb of Dural before his body was dumped hours later.

The men were arrested at police at two properties in Sydney’s north-west on Wednesday. Source: NSW Police

Senior police allege a third unknown person was involved in the kidnapping, whom they are searching for.

The two suspects were refused bail and will appear in court again on 17 April.

Police believe the intended target for the abduction was a relative of an underworld-linked Sydney businessman who lived on the same street as Baghsarian.

They repeatedly told the kidnappers they had the wrong person and publicly urged them to release the elderly man, who relied on daily medication.

Detective acting superintendent Andrew Marks suspected the intended target was to be kidnapped in the hope of a ransom fee being paid, and confirmed reports the figure demanded was $50 million.

In a brief statement on Wednesday, Baghsarian’s family said they “welcome the news of the recent arrests in relation to the kidnapping of our father and grandfather”.

They have asked for privacy, as they come to grips with the death of their devoted father, brother, uncle and grandfather “who would never hurt a fly”.