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Two men charged in Sydney grandfather's murder
Australian police have charged two men in their 20s with the alleged murder and kidnapping of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, a Sydney widower believed to have been targeted by mistake. The arrests follow the discovery of human remains near a golf course on the city's outskirts.
Timeline of the attack
Baghsarian was forcibly taken from his North Ryde home in a pre-dawn raid on 13 February. Police say several men bundled him into an SUV before driving away. Authorities later confirmed the remains found near a golf course in Pitt Town belonged to the victim after forensic testing.
Arrests and charges
Gerard Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, were arrested on Wednesday and charged with murder and kidnapping. Both were denied bail during a court appearance on Thursday. Police indicated more arrests are likely, as they suspect others were involved in the crime.
During the arrests, authorities seized vehicles, electronics, and clothing as part of their investigation. Police also revealed the discovery of two burnt-out cars and a raid on an abandoned property in Dural helped lead them to the remains.
Suspects' backgrounds
According to police, both men had previously come to the attention of authorities for minor offenses. Outside court, Andrews' lawyer, Paul McGirr, described his client as far from a mastermind.
"From what I can gather, my client was no mastermind. It's not lost on me, the sensitive nature of this particular matter for the victim's family."
Paul McGirr, lawyer for Gerard Andrews
Family's plea and reaction
Baghsarian's family issued a statement shortly after his kidnapping, describing their ordeal as a "surreal nightmare." They struggled to comprehend why he had been targeted, emphasizing that neither he nor his family had any ties to organized crime.
In the days following the abduction, police made repeated public appeals for Baghsarian's safe return, citing his health issues and need for daily medication. Authorities later stated they were "a million percent confident" the wrong man had been taken.
Following the arrests, the family welcomed the news but requested privacy as they grieve.
Investigation continues
Police have not disclosed the condition in which Baghsarian's remains were found but confirmed an autopsy would be conducted to formally identify the victim and determine the cause of death. Authorities are urging witnesses who saw anything unusual near the golf course on 14 February to come forward.
The two accused are scheduled to return to court in April.
