United in grief, the families of Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies have spoken of their heartache and horror following the news of their apparent double murder.
Police have alleged TV presenter Jesse, 26, and his partner Luke, 29, were killed at Jesse’s Paddington home on 19 February by New South Wales cop and former celebrity blogger Beau Lamarre-Condon, 28. Their bodies were discovered on a property 185km away in rural Bungonia.
The families travelled to Sydney last week as police launched a widespread search for the men’s bodies. The findings came after Lamarre-Condon, currently in custody in the Silverwater Correctional Complex, finally caved and told police where the remains were located.
Paying tribute to her close friend, Jessica Vaux tells Woman’s Day that flight attendant Luke was like “sunshine” to her.
“He was the most thoughtful, caring, loving human being – living his absolute best life and bringing sunshine to everyone he met,” she says. “He will forever hold a special spot in my heart and I will cherish all of our memories for the rest of my life. He was so dearly loved and will be so dearly missed.”
Luke’s partner Jesse, meanwhile, was “loved by everybody”, his cousin Austin Baird says.
Writing on social media, he adds, “Jesse, my first-ever best friend. I am beyond devastated. I still can’t believe it. You were one in a million, you cared about everyone and left such an impact on every person you met! I’ll love and remember you forever, mate. It’s an honour to be your cousin.”
Growing up in Melbourne, Jesse was a passionate sportsman and played Aussie rules for the tight-knit Diamond Creek Football & Netball Club for more than eight years.
“Jesse was talented, fearless and always put the team first in everything he did,” the club says. “His always-smiling face and vibrant personality, along with his unerring politeness and respect to all around him at all times, made him greatly loved by all. To us, Jesse’s memory will always shine bright. To us, Jesse was as they often described him in TV land – an absolute star.”
Jesse had recently left the television industry to start his dream job as an AFL umpire, and he was excited about travelling and spending time on the beach with Luke, who loved his job at Qantas.
As we went to press, a GoFundMe launched by Jessica has raised more than $70,000 to help Luke’s family “give him the send-off he deserves”.
A desperate search for the couple was carried out on 21 February after their bloodied belongings were found in a bin in Cronulla, 30km away from Jesse’s home.
Authorities allege Lamarre-Condon shot the couple with his police-issued firearm on 19 February and signed the gun back into work the next day.
He reportedly travelled with a female friend to a rural property in New South Wales’ Southern Tablelands, where it’s thought he first disposed of the bodies, before returning to Sydney.
It’s alleged he then travelled back to that location on 22 February and moved the bodies to Bungonia, near Goulburn, where they were discovered. He surrendered to police on 23 February.
It was previously reported Jesse and Lamarre-Condon had been in a relationship, however, Jesse’s friends have strongly downplayed that connection.
Lamarre-Condon was charged with two counts of murder and refused bail. The case is adjourned to 23 April.
Workmates remember
Jesse’s former co-stars on cancelled Aussie breakfast show Studio 10 have remembered him as a friend who “brightened every day”. In a statement, they said, “He could handle anything from croc feeding to speeding down a river on waterskis on live TV – anything to keep the audience entertained. Through his roving reporter role, he travelled the country and met hundreds of people from all walks of life. They were all without a doubt left a little brighter having been touched by his presence.”
