Tragic detail emerges in cop's alleged double murder
The tragedy unfolded in February 2024, when Jesse Baird and Luke Davies were allegedly shot dead at Mr Baird's home in Paddington in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
The case quickly became a media sensation, not only due to the high-profile nature of the victims but also because the accused, Beau Lamarre-Condon, was a serving NSW Police officer at the time of the alleged crimes.
Police were alerted to the possibility of foul play after possessions belonging to Jesse and Luke were discovered in a skip bin in Cronulla, prompting a search that led investigators to Baird's blood-stained terrace in Paddington. The discovery sent shockwaves through Sydney's close-knit entertainment and LGBTQ+ communities, where Jesse was well known and highly regarded.
Before his death, Baird, 26, had just accepted a coveted role as a producer on the reality series The Real Housewives of Sydney ahead of its third season and was due to start in March 2024, according to The Daily Mail.
'He had just signed on in January,' said Baird's close friend and former colleague, showbiz reporter Craig Bennett. 'He was ever so excited about it because he loved the show.'
Baird's television career included presenting and reporting roles on Network 10's Studio 10, Totally Wild, and Gamify, as well as work as an AFL goal umpire. 'He'd been let go by Network 10 when Studio 10 was axed in November 2023, but Jesse was great on camera and an accomplished producer,' Bennett explained. 'He was immeasurably excited about this new frontier on Housewives. He never got to see that dream realised. He would have gone a long way in reality television.'
Friends recalled Baird's warmth and professionalism, with Bennett joking that after working with stars like Denise Drysdale, handling the cast of The Real Housewives of Sydney would have been a breeze.
Former NSW Police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon was charged with two counts of murder and one count of break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence. Lamarre-Condon was dismissed from the NSW Police Force in March 2024 and has spent more than a year in custody awaiting trial.
Lamarre-Condon became a police officer in 2019 after running a celebrity blog, where he was photographed with numerous high-profile stars such as Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and Harry Styles.
He is scheduled to make his next court appearance via audiovisual link on June 17.
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