United in grief, the families of Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies have spoken of their heartache and horror following the news of their shock deaths last month.
Police have alleged Jesse Baird, 26, and his partner Luke Davies, 29, were killed at a home in Sydney’s Inner East on February 19 by NSW Police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon. Their bodies were discovered on a property 185km away in Bungonia, near Goulburn.
The families travelled to Sydney last week as police launched a widespread search for the men’s bodies. The findings came after Lamarre-Condon, currently in custody in Silverwater jail, reportedly told police where they were located.
COMMUNITY IN MOURNING
Family and friends paid tribute last week, with Luke’s friend Jessica Vaux telling Woman’s Day how he was “sunshine”.
“He was the most thoughtful, caring, loving human being,” she said. “Living his absolute best life and bringing sunshine to everyone he met. He will forever hold a special spot in my heart and I will cherish all of our memories for the rest of my life. [He was] so dearly loved and will be so dearly missed.”
TV presenter Jesse was, a relative said, “loved by everybody”.
“Jesse, my first ever best friend, I am beyond devastated. I still can’t believe it,” Jesse’s cousin Austin Baird said. “You were one in a million, you cared about everyone and left such an impact on every person you met! I’ll love and remember you forever, mate. It is an honour to be your cousin.”
The tight-knit community of Diamond Creek in Melbourne’s north-east, where Jesse grew up, said he was a passionate footballer for the Diamond Creek Football & Netball Club for more than eight years.
“Jesse was talented, fearless and always put the team first in everything he did,” the club said. “His always smiling face and vibrant personality, along with his unerring politeness and respect to all around him at all times making him greatly loved by [all]. To us Jesse’s memory will always shine bright, for to us Jesse was as they often described him in TV land – an absolute star.”
Jesse had switched careers and started a much-loved new job as an AFL umpire. At the beginning of their relationship, Jesse and Luke shared keen interests in travel and the beach, with the Qantas flight attendant said to have loved being able to travel the world with his job.
At the time of going to press, a GoFundMe launched by Jessica has reached more than $68,000 to help his family “give him the send-off he deserves”.
TRAGIC LOSS
A desperate search was carried out for the couple on February 21 after their bloodied belongings were found in a bin in Cronulla, 30km away from Jesse’s home in Paddington. NSW Police allege Lamarre-Condon, 28, shot the couple with his police-issued firearm at Jesse’s home on February 19. Police allege Lamarre-Condon, who was attached to youth command, signed the gun back in at Balmain police station the next day.
Police also allege he then travelled with a female friend to a rural property in the NSW Southern Tablelands. This is the location where it’s thought he first disposed of the bodies before returning to Sydney. It’s alleged he then travelled back to Bungonia on February 22 and moved the bodies to another location, where they were discovered. The former celebrity blogger surrendered to police on February 23.
It was previously reported Jesse and the officer had been in a relationship, however Jesse’s friends have since strongly downplayed that connection.
Lamarre-Condon was charged with two counts of murder and refused bail. The case is adjourned to April 23.
