Human remains found in search for slain couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies as police commissioner criticised
NSW Police have discovered human remains at a property in Bungonia during the search for the bodies of slain Eastern Suburbs couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said investigators had discovered what they believe are the bodies of Baird and Davies at the property, about 180km southwest of Sydney.
Ms Webb said the discovery came with the assistance of murder accused former Const Beau Lamarre-Condon.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“We’re very confident we have located Luke and Jesse,” she said.
NSW Police detective inspector Danny Doherty said investigators had found two surf bags and other items of significance at a second crime scene about 20-minutes from where police had originally searched at the Hazelton Road property.
Mr Doherty said the bodies had been transported in the surf bags from Paddington to Bungonia and had been found covered in debris.
He said police believed Mr Lamarre-Condon first travelled to Bungonia with an innocent person before later returning and moving the bodies to their current location, and the state of the bodies would not be known until a post-mortem had been conducted.
Mr Doherty said his understanding was that Baird had at been in “some type of relationship at some stage” with Mr Lamarre-Condon despite media reports to the contrary.
Det-Insp Doherty said investigators spoke to Mr Lamarre-Condon at Silverwater prison on Tuesday morning after the serving police officer obtained legal counsel.
It has been reported the families of both men have been informed of the discovery.
Ms Webb said what happened in the alleged murders, in which Mr Lamarre-Condon used his police-issued Glock pistol to allegedly kill Baird and Davies, could never happen again.
It is alleged that Mr Lamarre-Condon used his police-issued Glock pistol to allegedly murder the couple, before disposing of the bodies and handing himself into police on Friday.
He allegedly kept his gun with him after working an overtime shift at a rally in support of Palestine in Sydney’s CBD last Sunday before the weapon was returned to Miranda police station after the alleged murders.
Mr Doherty said police would examine whether Mr Lamarre-Condon had exhibited a pattern of behaviour before the alleged murders and that he had been suspended without pay.
Meanwhile, Ms Webb faces mounting criticism over her handling of the investigation into the murders.
She came under fire earlier today for her decision to reference pop superstar Taylor Swift as she defended the investigation after the Sydney gay and lesbian Mardi Gras withdrew their invitation to police to march in the parade.
“There will always be haters. Haters like to hate. Isn’t that what Taylor says?” Ms Webb told Sunrise.
“I have a job to do. It is a big job. This is just one of many. We actually had seven murders last week.
“We had a triple murder out at Parramatta and we’ve had others.
“This, though, of course, is a complex matter. All we need to do now is find Jesse and Luke so their families know where they are. That’s my priority.”
Organisers have since re-invited police officers to join the march, however, Ms Webb said it had not been decided whether police would march in the annual parade.
“There’s some positives that could come out of participating in Mardi Gras on Saturday but really, it’s early days, so we’ve got a few days to work through this.”
The Sydney Mardi Gras board late on Monday night said the alleged murders of Baird, 26, and Davies, 29, by serving police officer Const. Lamarre-Condon had devastated the LGBT community.
The spokesperson said a police presence at this year’s march could “intensify the current feelings of sorrow and distress” left by the tragedy and said the board had asked NSW Police to withdraw.
Mr Beau Lamarre-Condon, who has previously marched in the parade, allegedly killed his former boyfriend television presenter Baird and his current partner Davies at their terrace home in Paddington in Sydney’s east.
Mr Albanese, who has marched in the Mardi Gras parade, said he normally supported police participation but said the Sydney queer community was currently grieving an enormous tragedy.
“My heart goes out to those who are grieving – from the family and friends of these two men who have really suffered, you know Jesse [Baird] and Luke [Davies], people will be doing it tough at the moment and I understand that.”
The Police Association of NSW criticised the decision in a statement from association president Kevin Morton.
“For over 20 years, NSW Police have marched and been part of the inclusive inclusive nature of the event,” the statement read.
“Police participants have ranked from Commissioner to Constable, including a former senior executive member of this organisation who has marched numerous times. The symbolism of the march shows that the NSW Police are there for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“It is disappointing that the alleged actions of one individual could potentially impact what has been 20 years of relationship progression.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns also backed police marching in the Mardi Gras parade, arguing that gay and lesbian police members had fought for the right to be included in the annual celebrations.
