Police Discover Bodies of Couple in Rural Property in Australian ‘Crime of Passion’
In a shocking turn of events, Australian police have uncovered the bodies of a couple hidden under rocks and debris on a rural property. The discovery came just hours after the alleged perpetrator, Senior-Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon, led investigators to the location. The victims have been identified as former television reporter Jesse Baird, 26, and his flight attendant partner Luke Davies, 29. The bodies were found in surfboard bags, which police believe Lamarre-Condon used to transport them from Baird’s Sydney home.
The property where the bodies were found is located near Bungonia, a town 124 miles southwest of Sydney. Interestingly, it is only a short 20-minute drive from another property where police divers had been searching waterways for days. This proximity raises questions about Lamarre-Condon’s actions and the timeline of events.
Lamarre-Condon, who was in a relationship with Baird until late last year, was arrested on Friday and charged with the murder of the couple. As of now, he has not entered a plea or applied for bail. The investigation has revealed that Lamarre-Condon initially dumped the bodies at the property on Wednesday but returned alone on Thursday to move them. Police have clarified that an acquaintance who was traveling with Lamarre-Condon was unaware that they were transporting bodies and is not considered an accomplice.
The search for the bodies had been ongoing for days, leaving Detective Sergeant Sasha Pinazza, who is leading the investigation, exhausted. However, the breakthrough came when Lamarre-Condon finally decided to cooperate with detectives and disclosed the location. A crime scene has now been established in the area.
The revelation that a police officer allegedly committed a murder using his service pistol has sent shockwaves throughout the nation. Handgun ownership is highly restricted in Australia, prompting authorities to review gun handling procedures. The case is believed to be the first suspected murder committed by a New South Wales police officer in decades.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, one of the most anticipated events in the LGBTQ+ community, has been directly affected by this tragedy. Organizers have requested that police not march at the annual parade as a result of the alleged involvement of a police officer in the murder. The decision was made to avoid intensifying the current feelings of sorrow and distress within the LGBTQ+ community. While some have criticized this exclusion, others believe it is necessary to respect the grieving process and prevent further anguish.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb has acknowledged the need to prevent such incidents from happening again and has expressed her desire for police to be allowed to march at the Mardi Gras. However, the board has stood firm in their decision. State opposition lawmaker Jacqui Munro has called for government funding to be withdrawn from the event due to the exclusion of police. State Premier Chris Minns, on the other hand, hopes that police will be allowed to march but has ruled out withdrawing government funding.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has a significant historical background, originating as a street protest against homosexual discrimination in 1978. Since 1998, uniformed police officers have marched as a symbol of respect and support. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recognizes the progress made in police-LGBTQ+ community relations since then but understands the grief felt by the queer community in Sydney.
As investigations continue into this tragic crime, Australia grapples with the shocking revelation that a police officer may have been involved in a “crime of passion.” The impact of these events will undoubtedly be felt for years to come, both within the LGBTQ+ community and throughout the nation.