Australian police are “very confident” that they have found the bodies of TV presenter Jesse Baird and his boyfriend Luke Davies.
The human remains were found during a search mission in Sydney.
“We are very confident that we have located Luke and Jesse,” New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Karen Webb said in a press conference on 27 February.
The discovery of the bodies comes after policeman Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, who was Baird’s ex-boyfriend, handed himself into Sydney Police and was charged with two counts of murder on 23 February.
Later that day he also appeared in Waverley Local Court, where he was refused bail.
It was reported that he initially refused to cooperate with the police investigation, however on 27 February he “assisted” authorities and the two bodies were ultimately found in Bungonia (20 minutes from the original search location).
Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said the remains were found alongside two “surf bags”, which had been covered “with some debris”.
Police believe that the bodies were moved in a rented van that was captured on CCTV footage the same evening before eventually being “seized” by authorities.
“Police located a projectile at the premises which had been discharged…this has been ballistically matched to a NSW Police firearm,” Doherty told reporters.
Lamarre-Condon is expected to appear before court on 23 April.
Baird and Lamarre-Condon reportedly ended their relationship a few months ago and, prior to joining the police in 2019, he had been a celebrity blogger.
Sydney Mardi Gras has since requested that police “do not march”
On 26 December, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras organisers released a statement and confirmed “the Board has taken the decision to request that the Police do not march in the 2024 Parade,” currently scheduled for 2 March.
“In recent days many have voiced their concerns to us, particularly regarding feelings of unease at the Parade. Their concerns centre on whether it can still be a space to protest, celebrate, and advocate for equality, as well as to honour and grieve for those we’ve lost, given the NSW Police’s participation in this year’s event,” they said.
“Our community needs space to grieve the loss of Jesse and Luke who, before this tragedy, would have been here celebrating with us at the Festival.”
In response to the decision, a spokesperson for the force said: “The NSW police force has been advised that the board of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has decided to withdraw the invitation to NSW police to participate in this year’s event.
“While disappointed with this outcome, NSW police will continue to work closely with the LGBTIQA+ community and remain committed to working with organisers to provide a safe environment for all those participating in and supporting this Saturday’s parade.”
This will be the first time the force has not taken part in the parade in 20 years, Karen Webb, NSW police commissioner, told reporters.
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