Shattered Sarah Harris breaks down in tears during emotional tribute to Ten star Jesse Baird – moments after police announce major update into double-murder investigation on Sunday.
The tearful tribute also followed the shock development late this afternoon that police’s search for the bodies had extended to Goulburn, 200km south of Sydney, and that specialist divers had been deployed.
Harris broke down paying tribute to her former colleague Mr Baird as she recalled his presence in the Channel 10 newsroom on Friday.
Speaking about the last time she saw him, Harris said that Mr Baird had ‘so much talent’ and that he had told close friends that his boyfriend, Luke Davies, was ‘the one’.
‘It’s been a really hard week for a lot of us right across the 10 network, it’s hard 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 this big beautiful smile [and] at 26 he was an absolute star… one of those kids that had a big smile, big talent and 2024 was supposed to be his year.
‘To Jesse’s family: he spoke about you often with so much love and we’re just so so sorry.’
The Project host Sarah Harris broke down in tears while paying tribute to late Studio 10 presenter Jesse Baird
Harris said that 2024 was set to be Mr Baird’s year and that he had told close friends that Luke Davies was ‘the one’
Harris revealed that the last time she saw Mr Baird was in late-2023 and that he had told her about a new job opportunity.
Detectives on Sunday returned to Mr Baird’s Paddington apartment in order to collect more evidence in the case and were seen leaving with multiple brown paper bags.
It was also announced that search parties were scouring waterways in Golbourne as the search for Mr Baird and Mr Davie’s bodies for the first time.
On Sunday night, police confirmed a crime scene had been established in the Southern Tablelands, near Marulan.
Divers have been called in from the Marine Area Command in order to assist with the investigation.
The site, believed to be a dam, is about 200km south of the Paddington home, where police allege the couple were killed with Mr Lamarre-Condon’s police-issued gun.
The crime scene is one of the multiple locations established as part of the urgent investigation.
Previously the crews had been exclusively looking across Sydney and Newcastle.
Beau Lamarre-Condon, the NSW police constable 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 searching for the Mr Baird, 26, and his flight attendant partner Mr Davies, 29- two days an arrest was made over their deaths.
Baird’s ex-partner Lamarre-Condon, 28, has been charged two counts of murder and allege he used his police-issued Glock in the killings.
Lamarre-Condon is understood to have declined his fellow officers’ request that he assist them in finding the locations of Mr Baird and Mr Davies’ bodies, reports The Australian.
Detectives and forensics officers have been scouring the state in search of where the young men’s remains might be.
The search extended to Goulburn on Sunday night and earlier in the day forensics crews returned to Mr Baird’s Paddington home where police believe the couple were murdered almost a week ago
Divers also resumed their search of waterways in the Newcastle suburb of Lambton.
Police allege Luke Davies (left) and Jesse Baird (right) were killed by NSW police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon
Lamarre-Condon is understood to not be assisting in his fellow officer’s request investigation into the deaths
On Sunday afternoon, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb issued a heartfelt statement in which she called on the community to ‘have patience’ as police continue their investigations.
She also said had been left saddened and shocked by the horrific deaths.
‘I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird. It is difficult to comprehend the grief and pain of their loss,’ she said.
‘I acknowledge this week’s events are distressing for many and I share the sadness and shock about the alleged nature of Luke and Jesse’s deaths.
‘I understand there are many unanswered questions and while I cannot comment on the matter before the courts, 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 urged anyone with information to come forward and contact the police.
Detectives and forensics officers are still scouring the state to find the bodies of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb asked the community to ‘have patience’ with the investigation
On Sunday, it was reported by The Daily Telegraph that Lamarre-Condon used Mr Baird’s phone to text his housemates that he was moving to Perth.
The texts were sent on Thursday, which initially led police to believe the former entertainment presenter was still alive.
A second message reportedly asked his housemate to put his belongings out on the street 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 a bid to conceal the alleged killings.
Police were first notified of the suspected homicide after they found the bloodied clothes and possessions belonging to Mr Baird and Mr Davies in a Cronulla skip bin on Wednesday.
They will continue extracting data from the phone as their investigation continues.
Mr Baird and Mr Davies were last seen on Sunday
Lamarre-Condon allegedly sent a messages from Mr Baird’s phone to his roommates that he was moving to Perth (pictured Mr Baird’s apartment)
Earlier on Sunday, Ms Webb also issued an apology for the failings of police to ‘adequately and fairly’ investigate crimes committed against members of the state’s LGBTQI+ community.
The comments were in relation to the Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes in NSW, which investigated whether gay hate bias was involved in the 34 suspicious deaths and unsolved deaths between 1970 and 2010.
Ms Webb acknowledged the ‘increased suffering experienced by victims and their families where the crimes were motivated by bias against members of the LGBTIQ community’.
‘To the victims and families that NSW Police failed by not adequately and fairly investigating those deaths between 1970 and 2010, I am sorry,’ she said.
‘I apologise for the gaps in those investigative processes where records and exhibits were lost or not examined with enough rigour.’
‘I realise that this has meant missed opportunities to identify possible offenders as new leads emerged or as new forensic advances became available.’
She also vowed that police do better.
‘I assure the LGBTIQ community that under my leadership, NSW Police 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 define our future.’
Police are investigating whether Lamarre-Condon and Mr Baird’s recent breakup provided a motive for the alleged murder
Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said no motive has 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 Superintendent 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 break-up provided the Senior Constable with a reason to allegedly shoot the men.
Mr Baird and Mr Davies were last seen on Sunday night before heading back to Mr Baird’s Paddington apartment where it is believed that Lamarre-Condon murdered them.
The police issued gun was found locked away in a suburban police station safe after Lamarre-Condon checked it in and took sick leave on Tuesday.
Police searched the home of Lamarre-Condon’s mother, who also works with NSW Police as a probationary constable, and his stepfather on Thursday night.
Lamarre-Condon had worked as a youth engagement officer prior to the alleged murder and had recently told associates that he was about to begin training with the Protection Operations Unit.
The unit is responsible for the security of politicians, diplomats and other dignitaries.
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