2 men arrested in connection with death of 85-year-old grandfather who was kidnapped by mistake

Thursday, February 26, 2026 - Two men have been arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping and death of an 85-year-old grandfather in Australia, who is believed to have been taken from his home by mistake.

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, New South Wales Police Force confirmed in a news release that Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives had arrested two men in relation to the kidnapping of Chris Baghsarian, who was taken from his house in the Sydney suburb of North Ryde just after 5 a.m. local time on Friday, Feb. 13.

"Early inquiries established that Chris Baghsarian was not the intended target of the kidnapping and had been taken in a case of mistaken identity," the release stated, adding that human remains believed to be those of Baghsarian had been located at around 8 a.m. on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 24 near a golf club in Pitt Town, northwest Sydney.

The release noted, "Following extensive inquiries, about 6.30 a.m. today (Wednesday 25 February 2026), strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – executed two search warrants in Kenthurst and Castle Hill," adding that police had arrested a 29-year-old man at the Kenthurst address, and a 24-year-old man in Castle Hill.

"They have been taken to Riverstone Police Station, where inquiries continue," police said, per the release.

Police didn't identify the two men arrested in the release.

However, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Gerard Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, had been taken into custody from their parents’ homes in Kenthurst and Castle Hill on Wednesday morning.

The latest update comes after Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks confirmed at a press conference that the remains found belonged to the missing grandfather.

He said on Wednesday, “We can now confirm that the remains that were located yesterday were in fact Mr. Baghsarian," according to a clip shared by 7NEWS.

"We allege … that these men participated in a joint criminal enterprise with other persons to kidnap Mr. Baghsarian, and ultimately, where he was held hostage,” the officer also said, according to the video.

Marks said that police suspect more than three people were involved with the crime, insisting they were looking for all those who played a part in the kidnapping.

Police believe Baghsarian di£d at a property in Dural, before his remains were dumped near the golf club in Pitt Town, according to news.com.au.

Marks said Baghsarian’s family was “devastated” following the news of his death.

“The fact that an innocent man was taken from his home is not acceptable. These people need to be held to account for that and that’s why we are bringing these people before the courts, and we hope that it doesn’t happen again,” Marks added.

Tyre tracks spotted near the remains of Baghsarian have been examined as detectives consider whether a car engulfed in flames that was found in the nearby town of Wilberforce, in New South Wales, is related to the crime, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

A suspicious grey Toyota Corolla had previously been seen in Pitt Town on Feb. 14. The car was then found burnt on Feb. 16, with cloned license plates, having been reported stolen from the southeastern state of Victoria.

Several items found inside the Corolla positively tested as matches to an abandoned Dural home, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Disturbing footage previously circulated in Sydney’s underworld, which appeared to show Baghsarian severely injured at the same property, wearing the same clothes he was wearing at the time of his kidnapping.

Detectives believe Baghsarian was mistakenly taken while the kidnappers were targeting the father of Dimitri Stepanyan, 37, a convicted armed robber and founder of Proper Streetwear, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Baghsarian reportedly lived on the same street as the intended victim.

Baghsarian’s family said in a statement on Feb. 17, “Our family is living through a nightmare we never thought possible,” adding, “Chris’s kidnapping feels surreal, and we are struggling to make sense of the fact that he has been taken and that our family has been caught up in something that has nothing to do with us," per 7NEWS.

“Chris is a devoted father, brother, uncle, and grandfather,” they continued. “He is deeply loved, gentle, and the kindest person we know — someone who would never hurt a fly.”