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Policeman charged with murdering TV presenter and his boyfriend
A major update in the disappearance of a Channel 10 presenter and his Qantas flight attendant boyfriend, as a police officer with connections to the missing couple has been charged with two counts of murder.
Beau Lemarre, 28, a former celebrity blogger turned NSW Police officer, surrendered to authorities on Friday morning, following a frantic overnight search.
The charges stem from the mysterious disappearance of Lemarre’s ex-boyfriend, Jesse Baird, and Baird’s partner, Luke Davies, who were last seen on Monday.
Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty confirmed the charges, stating, “Charges have been submitted for two counts of murder.”
He further added that Lemarre is expected to be formally denied bail and brought before the court.
Police weapon
Police allege that Lemarre used his service weapon to fatally shoot Baird and Davies at Baird’s home in Paddington on Monday night.
The bodies have yet to be found, but evidence collected at the crime scene, including bloodstained clothes discovered near a skip-bin in Cronulla, and a projectile matched to a NSW Police firearm, have led investigators to pursue charges against Lemarre.
A white van believed to be connected to the disappearance was located on Friday morning, prompting authorities to intensify their search efforts.
However, the whereabouts of Baird and Davies remain unknown.
The couple’s disappearance has sent shockwaves through the community, with friends expressing concern for their safety.
According to reports, Baird had previously voiced fears of being stalked, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation.
Major crime scene
Police sealed off a street in Lambton, Newcastle, located 165km away from the Paddington crime scene, on Friday after a white van matching the description of the one being sought was spotted in Karoola Road near Lambton Pool.
Local residents reported a heavy police presence in the area, with streets cordoned off and officers conducting door-to-door inquiries.
“There’s cops everywhere, walking the streets, door knocking,” said one resident.
“Got the road closed past the pool,” they added.
Another resident mentioned, “The park is taped off with police tape up near the bowling club and lots of police are walking the park at the moment.”
It is suspected that Beau Lamarre-Condon, the individual charged in connection with the disappearance, may have driven the van, registered as CW82PM, to a residence in the Newcastle suburb where it was sighted around 10pm the previous night. However, by 2am, the van had vanished again.
These significant developments occurred after Lamarre-Condon’s phone showed signs of activity shortly before his arrest.
He had evaded authorities following the launch of a manhunt for the missing couple, after it was revealed that he was Jesse Baird’s ex-boyfriend.
Prior to his tenure with the NSW Police, Lamarre-Condon was known as a celebrity blogger, famous for capturing selfies with prominent figures such as Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.
His entry into law enforcement in 2019 was not without controversy, as he garnered attention for tasering a man in the face during an arrest, which was captured on camera.