Totally Wild’s Ranger Stacey pays tribute to former colleague Jesse Baird after cops charge ex-partner with murder
A popular Queensland presenter has joined fellow TV stars in paying tribute to allegedly murdered reporter Jesse Baird.
Police & Courts
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A popular Queensland presenter has paid tribute to allegedly murdered reporter Jesse Baird, saying the talented young man was kind, positive, and excelling in his career before his life was taken.
Mr Baird, 26, and his partner Luke Davies, 29, were allegedly murdered by NSW police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon at a home in Paddington, Sydney, with Lamarre-Condon allegedly shooting the pair with his police Glock service pistol.
Police believe Constable Lamarre-Condon – who is Mr Baird’s ex-partner – then drove a white van to Newcastle to dispose of their bodies, before handing himself in to Bondi Police Station when he became a suspect.
Beloved former Totally Wild presenter Stacey Thomson – known as “Ranger Stacey” – worked with Mr Baird for four years, and said he was bound for great things.
Mr Baird started his TV career in Queensland at just 19 when he joined the legendary Aussie kids show.
“He was just a young guy, just 19 when I met him, I feel like I took him under my wing a bit,” Ms Thomson said. “I had such a soft spot for him, he was so kind and gentle.”
Mr Baird worked as a presenter on the Network 10 program, which was filmed in Queensland, until it was axed in 2021 after 27 seasons.
Ms Thomson said he made a full life in Brisbane, but sought new opportunities when the show was cut.
“He was always there before I walked in, he loved living in Queensland, and he was almost forced to leave (when the show was axed),” she said.
“He went for everything. I remember he was so excited when he got a red-carpet gig at the Logies. He was so mature and positive. He was going places.” Ms Thomson said she was still in shock about what had happened.
“It’s a very numb feeling,” she said. “You hear terrible things every day but this is the first time I’ve ever had anything like this happen to someone we know. I just haven’t been able to sleep since.”
Mr Davies – a Qantas flight attendant – grew up in Greenbank, near Logan, and went to Park Ridge High School before attending university at Griffith.
Actor Hugh Sheridan shared a number of posts on social media about Mr Davies.
“Beautiful Luke. We’re all thinking of you, your family and angels. I pray wherever you are right now you are not in fear … a sweeter heart than yours would be very hard to find,” he wrote.
A prominent Brisbane real estate agent said the incident was “truly devastating”.
Ray White New Farm’s Dimitry Cassidy said Mr Davies was a “good friend”, while others described him as “the most gorgeous soul”.
“Whatever has happened is just shocking,” Mr Cassidy said.
Greens MP for Brisbane Stephen Bates shared a tribute on social media voicing his devastation on Friday.
“I am devastated to hear about the passing of Luke and Jesse.”
Mr Bates described Luke as a “huge part of the LGBTQIA+ community” in Brisbane.
“I had the pleasure of knowing Luke for a number of years. He was kind, caring, and one of the friendliest people I have ever met.”
Mr Bates said Luke was a “beacon of happiness.
“My thoughts are with the families and friends of both Luke and Jesse and with all of the queer communities of Brisbane and Sydney as we grieve this loss together.”
Mr Bates encouraged anyone who was struggling to process their passing to reach out to those closest to them.
“...and to mental health supports such as QLife, Lifeline and BeyondBlue.”
Mr Baird and Mr Davies were last seen on CCTV on Monday walking near Mr Baird’s Paddington house. The investigation into their disappearances began on Wednesday morning, when a greenkeeper at a bowling club in Cronulla found a pile of bloodied clothes in a skip, and called police.
Officers rushed to the Paddington terrace of Mr Baird, where they found large amounts of blood and broken furniture, and immediately declared it a crime scene.
Constable Lamarre-Condon appeared in court for the first time yesterday, just hours after handing himself in.
Wearing a black T-shirt and looking up only to acknowledge the magistrate, Lamarre-Condon sat quietly in the dock of Waverley Local Court on Friday afternoon.
He had no family or friends to support him in court.
His lawyer did not apply for bail and his case will be heard next in the Downing Centre Local Court on April 23.
Police will allege the constable, used his police Glock to kill Baird and Davies, with sources saying at least one bullet casing was found at Baird’s Paddington home.
Lamarre-Condon first hit headlines in 2014 when he was inspired by Lady Gaga’s visit to Sydney to announce to his family that he was gay.
The then 19-year-old threw a note revealing his sexuality on to the stage which Gaga read out to her thousands of fans.
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