Fears ‘mastermind’ behind the alleged kidnap and murder of innocent grandpa Chris Baghsarian fled Australia
Detectives fear the mystery figure behind the alleged botched kidnapping that left an innocent grandfather dead has escaped overseas.
Gerard Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, faced Blacktown Local Court in Sydney’s west on Thursday over allegations they abducted and murdered 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian between February 13 and 14 in a disturbing case of mistaken identity.
The pair allegedly believed they were abducting Karo Stepanyan, the father of Dimitri Stepanyan, a wealthy property developer who lives the high life in Las Vegas and Monaco.
Instead, they allegedly kidnapped ‘kind and gentle’ Mr Baghsarian.
Andrews and Steven allegedly forced the elderly man into a car before they are accused of later killing him at a secluded home in Dural after demanding a $50million ransom while holding the wrong hostage.
The court heard that police had obtained video evidence of a man demanding Stepanyan’s phone number from Mr Baghsarian. His body was later dumped in a field next to a golf course at Pitt Town.
On Friday, sources close to the investigation told The Sydney Morning Herald the ‘mastermind’ behind the plot may have already fled overseas.
Authorities are understood to be working to identify and track down the unknown figure, as well as probing whether the alleged kidnapping was organised by someone outside Australia.
Chris Baghsarian, 85, was snatched from his home in North Ryde on February 13 in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity
Daniel Stevens was a carpenter until he lost his job eight months ago, but his former boss told the Daily Mail of his ‘extreme shock’ after learning about the headlines
Co-accused Gerard Andrews, 29, was an cybersecurity student but has been charged with murder after he allegedly killed elderly man Chris Baghsarian
The development comes after the Daily Mail has revealed Andrews is from an affluent Catholic family, lived in a lavish $5million mansion in Kenthurst, graduated from $18,000-a-year Redfield College, and claimed he was midway through a cybersecurity degree at the University of Technology.
In a bizarre twist, UTS has confirmed Andrews is not a student and there is no record of him undertaking training.
Stevens, an apprentice carpenter, was described by shocked former colleagues as polite and well-mannered. He had worked on construction projects until he was terminated from his job eight months ago for drink driving.
Just weeks ago, Stevens portrayed himself on social media as a doting uncle-in-waiting, sharing a picture of himself in a collared shirt and beige trousers at a baby shower for his pregnant sister.
‘Can’t wait to meet the little guy,’ he said.
Just what allegedly led police to drag the pair – in humiliating scenes – from their respective parents’ homes in north-west Sydney and then charge them with the most serious of crimes is only now becoming clear.
Shock from accused’s ex-employer; other man’s ‘wellbeing break’
In court on Thursday, Stevens was handcuffed when he told the court via video link from his prison cell that he needed antiviral medication for shingles.
Andrews – who graduated from $18,000-a-year Redfield College – kept his head down and barely spoke when he appeared on screen, wearing the same ragged Gucci t-shirt he wore when he was arrested the day before.
Gerard Andrews is from an affluent Catholic family who lived in this lavish $5million five-bedroom mansion in Kenthurst
Andrews was arrested in a dawn raid at his family home
The alleged kidnapper and killer’s jeans fell around his ankles as he was dragged off (pictured)
According to Andrews’ social media pages, after completing an apprenticeship as a mechanic, he got a job at his family’s successful long-running trucking business, which his father ran with his elderly grandfather and their business partners.
He then went on to become head mechanic at Rouse Hill Toyota between 2021 and 2023, before shifting careers and working as an account manager at a printing business.
According to the printing job description on his LinkedIn profile, he ‘managed a portfolio of business clients purchasing printers, managed print services, and maintenance contracts, conducted 100+ calls per day’.
Last year, he took a ‘health and wellbeing’ break ‘to address medical needs and complete recovery under professional guidance’, according to his online profiles.
‘Used this period to begin foundational IT and cyber security self-study, experiment with home lab setups, and prepare for a career transition into cyber security,’ he posted online.
‘Returned to full capacity in 2025 and commenced the UTS-IOD Cyber Security Bootcamp with a long term focus on offensive security and cyber operations.’
He claimed on LinkedIn that he was a full-time student at UTS from June, but a spokesperson form the university told the Daily Mail he is not a student and there is no record of him undertaking training.
Stevens, who was arrested at his parents’ $3million four-bedroom detached home in Castle Hill, was an apprentice carpenter working in Sydney on high-end residential construction projects.
Daniel Stevens, 24, is pictured at his sister’s baby shower. He has been charged with the kidnap and murder of Chris Baghsarian, 85
Stevens was arrested at his parents’ $3million four-bedroom detached home in Castle Hill
Stevens, pictured with his English-born mother, who has returned to the UK
That is, until eight months ago when he was terminated for drink-driving. His former employer said Stevens’ position was ‘untenable’ after he lost his driver’s licence.
Police confirmed Stevens was known to authorities for minor matters.
His former employer, who asked not to be identified, said the firm was ‘extremely shocked’ by the reports, saying Stevens had appeared to be polite and well-mannered.
In a Facebook post, Stevens – who graduated from the top-performing Castle Hill High School – could be seen pictured standing proudly alongside his two siblings.
It’s believed Stevens was born in England and moved to Australia with his family when he was a child.
Charges laid
Stevens and Andrews were charged with one count each of murder and taking/detaining Chris Baghsarian with intent to ransom, occasioning bodily harm.
Andrews’ lawyer Paul McGirr did not apply for bail in court on Thursday, telling reporters outside court that his client was ‘no mastermind’ in the alleged plot.
‘It’s a horrific set of facts that I’ve read in my experience as a police officer and defence lawyer, and I just have to remind myself that I have a job to do under these circumstances,’ he said.
Stevens (pictured during his arrest) told the court he needed medication for shingles in custody
He also appeared in other family photos, and loved-up pictures with his girlfriend
Gerard Andrews, 29, had previously taken a year out work for medical reasons, he posted
‘It’s not lost on me the sensitive nature of this particular matter for the victim’s family but I have a job to do, and it’s very hard at this moment for me to do that job having read the fact sheet.’
Stevens’ lawyer Javid Faiz told the court his client needed medication for shingles.
Stevens then told the court: ‘The shingles is not contagious anymore, it’s just that I haven’t showered.’
Outside court, Mr Faiz said his client understood ‘the nature and gravity of the allegations’ against him.
‘He’s taking the matter seriously,’ he said. ‘He is procedurally aware that this matter is going to take some time.
‘It’s a tragic incident there’s no doubt that this would have had an effect on the community.’
They will appear in Penrith Local Court on April 17.
