On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Australian law enforcement unearthed the remains of Jesse Baird, 26, an ex-TV reporter, and Luke Davies, 29, a flight crew member. Found in surfboard bags and concealed beneath rocks and rubble on a remote property in Bungonia, New South Wales, the site was roughly 124 miles to the southwest of Sydney.
Almost a week after the duo was last spotted on February 19 at Baird’s Sydney home, the search concluded. Their sudden disappearance sparked a countrywide search and elicited significant concern from various Australian communities. The investigation took a startling turn when authorities charged Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, a 28-year-old Senior Constable from New South Wales, with the double homicide.
Lamarre-Condon, rumored to have had a past relationship with Baird, allegedly used his police-issued gun to commit the murders at Baird’s residence prior to hiding their bodies.
A close associate of Baird denied that Lamarre-Condon was ever involved romantically with the former Studio 10 journalist. “Jesse had a brief interaction with Beau. They were never ex-lovers,” Isaac Muller, a TV producer, stated on the ABC’s 7.30 program. “There was no romantic involvement between them.”
Corey-Dean Thorpe, Baird’s partner for five years and a close friend thereafter, also dismissed any romantic involvement between Lamarre-Condon and Baird.
In November of the previous year, Thorpe assisted Baird in crafting a message to Lamarre-Condon, informing the senior constable that he had overstepped the bounds of their friendship and they should discontinue their interactions. The message concluded with: “Please refrain from contacting me in the future.”
Upon Lamarre-Condon’s decision to collaborate with investigators after initially refusing, authorities were led to the location of the bodies. This acquiescence followed legal counsel given to the ex-officer, who was already in custody.
At Baird’s home, investigators found vital evidence such as bloodstains, a bullet, and a spent cartridge matching the suspect’s firearm, further tying him to the crime. Earlier in the investigation, the discovery of the couple’s bloodied possessions in a Cronulla trash bin had already heightened concerns about their wellbeing.
Before his tenure in the police force, Lamarre-Condon was known for pursuing celebrities and writing blog posts about his encounters. Photos depict him with various celebrities, including Ben Stiller, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Taylor Swift.
A 2020 incident where Lamarre-Condon was scrutinized for excessive Taser use on an indigenous man came to light when a video of the incident was shared online. Lamarre-Condon publicly declared his sexual orientation in 2014 by tossing a letter on stage at a Lady Gaga concert, which the artist shared with the audience — an event his sister witnessed.
This case has profoundly affected Australia’s LGBTQ communities. The prime suspect being a serving police officer has initiated public discourse and concern, particularly regarding firearm access 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 event in the city.
They cited the need for a ‘space to mourn’ the deceased couple, emphasizing the deep impact on LGBTQ communities across Australia.
Karen Webb, the head of the state’s police, noted that officers have been part of the Mardi Gras celebrations for twenty years. “It would be unfortunate if we were excluded this year due to the actions of an individual, which are unrelated to gay hate,” Webb said. She added, “Exclusion would significantly tarnish our organization.”
The tragedy has sparked conversations about the relationship between the police force and the LGBTQ community. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recognized the community’s grief and noted progress in police-community relations since the Mardi Gras parade’s inception in 1978.
Lamarre-Condon is scheduled to appear in court on April 23 to face the murder charges.