Shattered Sarah Harris breaks down in tears during an emotional tribute to Ten star Jesse Baird – moments after police announced a major update into the double murder investigation on Sunday.
The tearful tribute also followed the shocking development late this afternoon that the police search for the bodies had been extended to Goulburn, 200km south of Sydney, and specialist divers had been deployed.
Harris broke off her tribute to her former colleague Baird when she recalled his presence in the Channel 10 newsroom on Friday.
Speaking about the last time she saw him, Harris said Mr Baird had ‘so much talent’ and that he had told close friends his boyfriend, Luke Davies, was ‘the one’.
“It’s been a very difficult week for many of us across the 10 network, it’s difficult to even talk about Jesse in the past tense,” she said.
‘Jesse was more than just a colleague, he was a friend (and) like a little brother. He had a big beautiful smile (and) at 26 he was an absolute star… one of those kids with a big smile, big talent and 2024 was supposed to be his year.
“To Jesse’s family, he has often spoken of you with such love and we are so sorry.”
Project host Sarah Harris broke down in tears as she paid tribute to the late Studio 10 presenter Jesse Baird
Harris said 2024 would be Mr Baird’s year and that he had told close friends Luke Davies was ‘the one’
Harris revealed that the last time she saw Mr Baird was in late 2023 and that he told her about a new job.
Detectives returned to Mr Baird’s Paddington apartment on Sunday to collect more evidence in the case and were seen with several brown paper bags.
It was also announced that search parties were scouring the waterways in Golbourne in the search for the bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davie.
On Sunday evening, police confirmed a crime scene had been found in the Southern Tablelands, near Marulan.
Divers from the Marine Area Command have been called in to assist with the investigation.
The site, believed to be a dam, is about 125 miles south of the Paddington home where police allege the couple were killed with Mr Lamarre-Condon’s police-issued weapon.
The crime scene is one of several locations identified as part of the urgent investigation.
Previously, crews only looked at Sydney and Newcastle.
Police allege Luke Davies (left) and Jesse Baird (right) were murdered by NSW police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon
It is believed Lamarre-Condon was not assisting his colleague’s request investigation into the deaths
Beau Lamarre-Condon, the NSW police officer who allegedly murdered his ex-boyfriend, TV presenter and his new boyfriend, is reportedly refusing to cooperate with officers as the desperate search for the men’s bodies continues.
Officers are working around the clock to find Mr Baird, 26, and his flight attendant partner, Mr Davies, 29. Two days later an arrest was made over their deaths.
Baird’s ex-partner Lamarre-Condon, 28, has been charged with two counts of murder and claims he used his police-issue Glock in the killings.
Lamarre-Condon is said to have rejected his fellow officers’ request to help them find the locations of the bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies, reports The Australian.
Detectives and forensic officers have been scouring the state for where the remains of the young men might be.
The search extended to Goulburn on Sunday evening and forensic investigators returned earlier in the day to Mr Baird’s home in Paddington, where police believe the couple were murdered almost a week ago
Divers also resume their search of waterways in the Newcastle suburb of Lambton.
Detectives and forensic officers are still scouring the state to find the bodies of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies
On Sunday afternoon, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb issued a heartfelt statement calling on the community to “be patient” as police continue their investigation.
She also said she was saddened and shocked by the horrific deaths.
“I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families and friends of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird. It is difficult to understand the sadness and pain of their loss,” she said.
“I recognize that this week’s events are distressing for many and I share the sadness and shock at the alleged nature of Luke and Jesse’s deaths.
‘I understand there are many unanswered questions and while I cannot comment on the case in court, I can reassure Luke and Jesse’s loved ones, and the people of NSW, that we are working around the clock to find those answers .’
She also called on anyone with information to come forward and contact police.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb asked the community to “be patient” with the investigation
It was reported on Sunday by The Daily Telegraph that Lamarre-Condon used Mr Baird’s phone to text his housemates that he was moving to Perth.
The text messages were sent on Thursday, which initially led police to believe the former entertainment host was still alive.
In a second message, his roommate was reportedly asked to put his belongings out and said he would send cleaners to the home on Thursday.
Officers are now investigating the “decoy” text messages Lamarre-Condon allegedly sent from Mr Baird’s phone, which they believe were sent in an attempt to cover up the alleged murders.
Police were first alerted to the suspected murder after finding the bloodied clothing and belongings of Mr Baird and Mr Davies in a Cronulla container on Wednesday.
They will continue to extract data from the phone as their investigation continues.
Mr Baird and Mr Davies were last seen on Sunday
Lamarre-Condon is said to have sent a message from Mr Baird’s phone to his housemates informing him that he was moving to Perth (photo of Mr Baird’s apartment)
Earlier on Sunday, Ms Webb also apologized for the police’s failure to “adequately and fairly” investigate crimes against members of the state’s LGBTQI+ community.
The comments were in reference to the Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crime in NSW, which investigated whether gay hate bias was involved in the 34 suspicious and unsolved deaths between 1970 and 2010.
Ms Webb acknowledged the ‘increasing suffering experienced by victims and their families, with the crimes motivated by prejudice against members of the LGBTIQ community’.
“To the victims and families that NSW Police have failed by failing to adequately and fairly investigate these deaths between 1970 and 2010, I am sorry,” she said.
‘I apologize for the gaps in those investigative processes where documents and evidence were lost or not examined with sufficient accuracy.’
‘I recognize that this has led to missed opportunities to identify possible perpetrators as new leads emerged or new forensic developments became available.’
She also promised that the police would do better.
“I assure the LGBTIQ community that under my leadership, the NSW Police Force will use these lessons to continue to improve the way it serves all members of the community with respect, fairness and inclusivity,” she said.
“The mistakes of the past will not determine our future.”
Independent MP Alex Greenwich told The Project on Sunday that Sydney’s LGBTQI+ community was “really grieving” at what should be “a time of celebration” as Mardi Gras begins.
Police are investigating whether the recent rift between Lamarre-Condon and Mr Baird was a motive for the alleged murder
Chief Inspector Danny Doherty said no motive had been found but the relationship was an ‘obvious line of inquiry’
A motivation for the alleged murders is still being considered and NSW Police Detective Inspector Danny Doherty told reporters on Friday that Lamarre-Condon’s recent relationship with Mr Baird was an “obvious line of inquiry”.
Officers are investigating whether Lamarre-Condon’s resentment over the breakup gave the Senior Constable a reason to shoot the men.
Mr Baird and Mr Davies were last seen on Sunday evening before returning to Mr Baird’s Paddington apartment, where Lamarre-Condon is believed to have killed them.
The police-issued weapon was found locked in a safe at a suburban police station after Lamarre-Condon checked it in and went on sick leave on Tuesday.
Police searched the home of Lamarre-Condon’s mother, who also works as a probationary police officer with the NSW Police, and his stepfather on Thursday evening.
Lamarre-Condon had worked as a youth engagement officer before the alleged murder and had recently told employees he was about to undergo training with the Protection Operations Unit.
The unit is responsible for the safety of politicians, diplomats and other dignitaries.