Revealed: Missing Channel Ten star Jesse Baird’s deep ties to the AFL – as the league breaks its silence on grisly disappearance
The AFL has confirmed that missing Sydney man Jesse Baird is a goal referee and that he failed to show up for his scheduled duties for a trial match between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants this week.
NSW detectives are investigating the disappearance of former Channel 10 reporter Baird, 26, and his Qantas work partner, Luke Davies, 29, who vanished from Sydney’s east on Monday and have not been seen since.
The disappearance of Baird and Davies is now being treated as suspicious following the discovery of both men’s blood-soaked belongings in a Cronulla container on Wednesday.
The discovery led police to Baird’s blood-stained share house, 20 miles away in Paddington, in the east of the city.
Baird (right) is an AFL goal referee and has officiated a number of matches, including the curtain raiser for the 2018 AFL Grand Final
Luke Davies (left) and his partner Baird (right) have been missing since Monday and their disappearance is being treated as suspicious
Baird, a goal referee, has appeared in 62 AFL matches.
He joined the AFL referee list in 2020 and was one of the match officials for the curtain call for the 2018 grand final.
“The AFL confirms that NSW Police have informed us that Sydney-based AFL goal referee Jesse Baird is missing along with his partner and there is an ongoing police investigation,” league spokesman Jay Allen said on Thursday evening.
‘Jesse was listed as a goal referee for the match simulation between Sydney Swans and GWS Giants at Tramways Oval in Moore Park this morning but did not turn up for the match and has not been in contact with colleagues.
“The AFL has contacted his family and offered support and has also offered advice to Jesse’s colleagues and the wider AFL football department who received the disturbing news this afternoon.
“As there is an ongoing police investigation, we are unable to comment further but would urge anyone with information to contact NSW Police.”
Authorities first learned of the couple’s disappearance when their belongings were found in a dumpster on Wilbar Ave in Cronulla about 11 a.m. Wednesday.
This discovery took place three days after Davies was last seen in Paddington.
Baird (left) was due to take care of a preseason goal between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants this week but was not present
NSW Police and detectives are investigating a house in Paddington in connection with the disappearance of Baird and Davies
An employee at a nearby location discovered bloody clothing, a cell phone, credit cards and car keys while throwing out trash and immediately reported the incident to police. Ownership of the mobile phone has not yet been established.
After finding these items, NSW Police officers attended a home on Brown St in Paddington at around 1pm where they established a crime scene.
Inside the home they found upturned furniture and a significant amount of blood, possibly indicating a fatal accident, Chief Inspector Jodi Radmore said.
Following this, police went to Davies’ home in Waterloo but were unable to locate him. Detective Radmore said officers are investigating all leads
“We believe based on the crime scene in Paddington and the property which was in Cronulla that there was some type of incident that most likely took place at the Paddington address,” she said.
The home of police officer Beau Lamarre has now been searched as part of the investigation into the disappearances of the men.
The home of NSW police officer Beau Lamarre (pictured) – a former partner of Baird’s – has been searched by detectives as part of the investigation into the men’s disappearances
Detectives arrived at the sandstone house on Waite Avenue in Balmain, in Sydney’s west, about 11.30pm on Thursday evening.
A number of items were recovered from the house in evidence bags, while a nearby alley was also cordoned off by detectives.
The home belongs to the parents of NSW police officer Beau Lamarre, who officers are searching for in connection with the missing couple. He is a former partner of Baird’s.
Detectives are also on the hunt for a white van they believe is driven by Officer Lamarre after it was captured on CCTV driving past Mr Baird and Mr Davies in the eastern Sydney suburb of Paddington on Monday evening.
Police are raising serious concerns for the safety of both men and are urging anyone with information regarding Davies’ whereabouts or relevant to the investigation to contact Waverley Police or Crime Stoppers.