Jesse Baird, Luke Davies: Mardi Gras organisers reveal how they will pay tribute to allegedly murdered couple during glitzy parade
Organizers of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade have revealed how they will pay tribute to alleged murder victims Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, amid somber reflections on the couple’s lives days ahead of the event.
Mr Baird, 26, and his friend Mr Davies, 29, were allegedly murdered at Baird’s share house in Paddington at about 9.30am on February 19.
Senior Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon is accused of using his police-issued pistol to shoot them before dumping the bodies on a rural property.
During tonight’s parade, which starts at 6 p.m., a moment of silence will be observed for the young couple.
Luke Davies (left) and Jesse Baird (right) are said to have been murdered at home. Image: Instagram
A moment of silence will be observed for the young couple during tonight’s parade, which starts at 6 p.m.
“We will take a moment to honor and remember Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, whose lives were tragically taken from us,” Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras said in a statement on Saturday.
“This moment of remembrance serves as a powerful reminder of the ties that unite us and the memories of those we hold dear.
‘As the Dykes on Bikes approach Taylor Square for their second pass – the heart of our parade – they will pause for a moment.
‘This is a signal for all present to observe a moment of silence.’
Hundreds of people gathered at Green Park in Darlinghurst on Friday evening, an evening that would normally mark the start of a weekend of parties and celebrations
Friends, family and members of the LGBTQIA+ community gathered at dusk to pay tribute to the lives of the young couple whose lives were so tragically cut short.
Hundreds of people gathered at Green Park in Darlinghurst on Friday evening, an evening that would usually mark the start of a weekend of parties and celebrations.
Instead, friends, family and members of the LGBTQIA+ community gathered at dusk to pay tribute to the lives of the young couple whose lives were so tragically cut short.
“Jesse would be so humbled if so many people showed up tonight, and I know he’s up there looking down at us and saying, ‘guys, don’t be so dramatic, get up and start dancing for me,’ because he loved A good dance,” a colleague of Mr Baird told Weekend Today on Saturday morning.
Luke Davies’ mother paid tribute to him. Image: Facebook
“He was so sassy and beautiful and smart.”
The families of both men have been largely silent since their deaths were confirmed last week, but Mr Davies’ mother, Sandy, broke her silence earlier this week.
She changed her Facebook profile picture on Wednesday to a photo of her with her arm around Luke, the pair grinning from ear to ear, without words accompanying the post.
Mr Davies will also be honored by his former employer’s Qantas on their float during the parade.