For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid email address
SIGN UP
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice
Thanks for signing up to the
Breaking News email
{{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}
Police have found the bodies of former Australian TV presenter Jesse Baird and his flight attendant partner Luke Davies after the couple went missing last week.
Police believe the two men were murdered in Mr Baird‘s Sydney home last week, and have arrested a New South Wales police officer who used to date the TV host.
Human remains were discovered at a property in the small town of Bungonia, about two hours drive southwest of Sydney, on Tuesday.
“We believe we have located two bodies,” said New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb. “The families have been informed. And crime scene detectives have just arrived on scene at that location now.”
New South Wales Police Force senior constable Beau Lamarre-Condon, who dated Baird until late last year, was charged on Friday with the murders of both men.
RECOMMENDED
Willy Wonka actor breaks silence on disastrous Willy’s Chocolate Experience
Undo
Hundreds of teens descend on seaside home for out-of-control house party
Undo
MubarakMarketplace
Pre-Ramadan Sales Soar with This DressMubarakMarketplace| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Unsecured Loans and Funding for UK Small Businesses
Easy Loans & Funding for UK Businesses (Apply Now)Unsecured Loans and Funding for UK Small Businesses| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Powered by Taboola Powered by Taboola
He “provided assistance” in locating the remains, said Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty at a press conference on Tuesday. He added: “This is a breakthrough for this investigation.”
A man stands outside the Paddington residence of Jesse Baird in Sydney on Tuesday
" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/27/06/e6bb60a4dd124698a46533dda384d8c1.jpg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/27/06/e6bb60a4dd124698a46533dda384d8c1.jpg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/27/06/e6bb60a4dd124698a46533dda384d8c1.jpg" data-gallery-length="4" class="i-amphtml-fill-content i-amphtml-replaced-content">
A man stands outside the Paddington residence of Jesse Baird in Sydney on Tuesday
(AP)
He said: “There were two surf bags that have been found. And some debris and other items of interest, of significance.” He added that the bodies were “found upon a fence line [the boundary between two properties], near the entrance to the property”.
Promoted stories
Dental Implant Cost
Full Mouth Dental Implants For $150 (See Dentists Nearby)Dental Implant Cost
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Investigators suspect that the bodies were moved from Baird’s home in Paddington in surf bags, with a rented van used to bring 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.
New South Wales police conduct a line search on a rural property on Hazelton Road in Bungonia
" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/27/06/11182592.jpg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/27/06/11182592.jpg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/27/06/11182592.jpg" data-gallery-length="4" class="i-amphtml-fill-content i-amphtml-replaced-content">
New South Wales police conduct a line search on a rural property on Hazelton Road in Bungonia
(EPA)
The case has gripped Australia and is believed to be the first suspected case of murder by a serving New South Wales police officer, prompting a review of access to firearms by an off-duty officer.
“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,” Ms Webb had said last week.
Meanwhile, organisers of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras have asked police not to march at their annual parade this weekend, following the alleged murder of the couple.
The Mardi Gras’ board said LGBT+ communities across Australia had been devastated by the loss of the couple, who had planned to celebrate at the parade on Saturday.
“The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras board feels that having the New South Wales 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 on Monday.
Police conducted extensive searches of the area before the bodies were eventually discovered
(EPA)
“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.
Ms Webb, who has taken part in the annual march since 2006, urged the board to reconsider its decision. “We’re not dealing with a gay hate crime here. We’re dealing with a domestic homicide and ... I’m disappointed [by] the position the Mardi Gras board has taken on this issue,” she said, adding that it is the “time to come together”.
She also received support from independent lawmakers. “It’s really important that the LGBTQ community know that the police are there to protect us, that we can report crime to them. That said, a lot of work needs to be done on the police’s side here,” said independent state lawmaker and gay activist Alex Greenwich.
Additional reporting by agencies
More about Sydney Australian police officer human remains New South Wales
Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments
1/ 4Bodies found ‘in surf bags’ in hunt for missing TV star and partner
Bodies found ‘in surf bags’ in hunt for missing TV star and partner
A man stands outside the Paddington residence of Jesse Baird in Sydney on Tuesday
AP
Bodies found ‘in surf bags’ in hunt for missing TV star and partner
New South Wales police conduct a line search on a rural property on Hazelton Road in Bungonia
EPA
Bodies found ‘in surf bags’ in hunt for missing TV star and partner
Police conducted extensive searches of the area before the bodies were eventually discovered
EPA
Bodies found ‘in surf bags’ in hunt for missing TV star and partner
Australian TV star Jesse Baird and his boyfriend Luke Davies
news.com.au / YouTube
？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Subscribe
Already subscribed? Log in