On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Australian authorities unearthed the remains of Jesse Baird, 26, an ex-TV reporter, and Luke Davies, 29, an airline steward. Their bodies, hidden in surfboard bags and obscured under rocks and rubble, were found on a rural estate in Bungonia, New South Wales, approximately 124 miles southwest of Sydney.
The discovery concluded a search that started almost a week after the pair was last seen at Baird’s Sydney residence on February 19. Their vanishing act incited a countrywide search and widespread worry throughout Australia. The investigation took a startling twist when Senior Constable Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, 28, of New South Wales, was accused of their murders.
It is alleged that Lamarre-Condon, who supposedly had a past connection with Baird, utilized his police-issued weapon to kill them at Baird’s home before hiding their bodies.
A close associate of Jesse Baird dismissed claims of a romantic relationship between Lamarre-Condon and the Studio 10 reporter. “Jesse had a brief encounter with Beau. He was never his ex-partner,” disclosed TV producer Isaac Muller on ABC’s 7.30 program. “There was no romantic entanglement between them.”
Corey-Dean Thorpe, who was in a relationship with Baird for five years and remained a close friend, also rejected the rumor that he and Lamarre-Condon were romantically linked.
Last November, Thorpe assisted Baird in drafting a message to Lamarre-Condon, informing the senior constable that he had overstepped the boundaries of their friendship and it was time to part ways. Baird’s message ended with a request for Lamarre-Condon to abstain from contacting him in the future.
Lamarre-Condon’s decision to aid investigators in locating the bodies came after he initially declined to cooperate. His change in stance occurred after receiving legal counsel while in custody.
Notable evidence, including blood spots, a bullet, and a discharged shell that matched the suspect’s firearm, was found at Baird’s home, linking Lamarre-Condon to the crime. Earlier in the investigation, the discovery of the couple’s blood-stained belongings in a garbage receptacle in Cronulla heightened concerns for their wellbeing.
Prior to his police career, Lamarre-Condon was known for pursuing celebrities and blogging about them. Photos depict him with numerous stars, such as Ben Stiller, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Taylor Swift.
A 2020 incident where he was scrutinized for excessive Taser use on an indigenous man came to light after a video surfaced online. Lamarre-Condon publicly announced his sexual orientation in 2014 by tossing a letter on stage at a Lady Gaga concert, which the singer then shared with the audience, an event his sister witnessed.
The case has deeply affected Australia’s LGBTQ communities. The fact that a serving police officer is the main suspect has ignited public discussion and concern, particularly about access to firearms and community safety.
Organizers of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras have asked police to refrain from participating in the upcoming Saturday parade, a significant city event. They emphasized the need for a ‘space to mourn’ the deceased couple, underscoring the deep impact on LGBTQ communities throughout Australia.
Karen Webb, the state’s police chief, noted that police have been part of the Mardi Gras celebrations for two decades. “It would be regrettable if we were excluded this year due to the actions of one person, which are not related to anti-gay sentiment,” Webb remarked. She added, “Such exclusion would considerably tarnish our organization.”
The incident has spurred conversations about the relationship between the police and the LGBTQ community. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the community’s sorrow and the progress in police-community relations since the Mardi Gras parade began in 1978.
Lamarre-Condon is scheduled to appear in court on April 23 in relation to the murder charges.
