Police discovered the remains of former Australian TV host Jesse Baird and his flight attendant partner following their disappearance last week.
Authorities suspect Baird and his partner Luke Davies were victims of foul play at Baird’s residence in Sydney. A New South Wales police officer, who was previously romantically involved with the TV presenter, has been apprehended in connection with the case.
Human remains were found at a property in Bungonia, a small town approximately two hours’ drive southwest of Sydney, on Tuesday.
“We believe we have located two bodies,” said NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb. “The families have been informed. And crime scene detectives have just arrived on scene at that location now.”
Senior Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon of the New South Wales Police Force, who was in a relationship with Baird until late last year, was charged on Friday with the murders of both men.
He ‘provided assistance’ in locating the remains,” stated Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty at a press conference on Tuesday. “This is a breakthrough for this investigation.”
“There were two surf bags that have been found. And some debris and other items of interest, of significance,” he said, adding that the bodies were “found upon a fence line, near the entrance to the property”.
Investigators suspect that the bodies were transported from Baird’s residence in Paddington in surf bags, with a rented van utilized to transport them to the rural property in Bungonia.
“They were covered in debris and the state of the bodies won’t be known until we do a proper crime scene investigation, and from there we’ll be able to have a post-mortem conducted as well,” said Mr Doherty.
The case has captivated Australia and is believed to be the first suspected instance of murder involving a serving New South Wales police officer, prompting a reassessment of off-duty officers’ access to firearms.
“It’s a failure if someone has used their service firearm in the manner that’s alleged, which is why it’s necessary to have a review,” Mr Webb had said last week.
Meanwhile, organizers of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras have requested that police refrain from participating in their annual parade this weekend, in light of the alleged murder of the couple.
The Mardi Gras board expressed that LGBT+ communities across Australia were profoundly affected by the tragic loss of the couple, who had intended to celebrate at the parade on Saturday.
“The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Board feels that having the NSW Police march this year could add to the distress within our communities, already deeply affected by recent events. The Board has taken the decision to request that the police do not march in the 2024 Parade,” the board said in a statement late on Monday.
“This decision was not made lightly, especially considering that many NSW Police members who participate in the parade are also members of the LGBTQIA+ community and are navigating the impact of this tragedy alongside us. However, we believe that their participation at this year’s event could intensify the current feelings of sorrow and distress,” the board added.
Independent state lawmaker and gay activist Alex Greenwich emphasized the significance of the LGBTQ community feeling supported by the police force for reporting crimes. However, he acknowledged the need for substantial improvements within the police force.
