Luke Davies and Jesse Baird honoured at vigil in Darlinghurst
Friends of murdered couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies have shared touching memories of the pair, as an emotional silent vigil is held in Darlinghurst tonight.
NSW
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Hundreds of people have attended a vigil for Jesse Baird and Luke Davies in Darlinghurst on Friday night, peacefully crowding out Green Park.
A line formed and began snaking almost down to the street as people waited to sign a book of condolences.
Those lining up included MPs Allegra Spender and Alex Greenwich, and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
“It’s a terrible night,” Cr Moore said. “Two young men murdered so brutally at the prime of their lives.”
A crowd also sat quietly on the grass, hugging each other and crying as a photo montage of the men played alongside a soundtrack.
Just days after the remains of the men were finally located in a dirt grave in the Southern Tablelands, their close-knit circles were remembering the couple — almost two weeks on from the tragedy.
It is understood their families will not attend, after being given some form of closure this week when their alleged killer Beau Lamarre-Condon led police to the location of their bodies.
Earlier in the day, friends and loved ones of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies started paying tribute to the two men.
“Luke was an incredibly kind, special friend to so many. His smile lit up every room he walked into, and his cheeky eyes said so much without him uttering a word,” a statement from Mr Davies’ friends said.
“Luke lived his life with the attitude of saying yes to everything he could (and) with friends and family being his core values, you knew he was the friend to count on to join on your adventures.
“We hope he will not be remembered for the tragic events of the last week and a half, but for his beautiful soul, adventurous spirit, and the joy he brought into all of our lives.
“He had the world at his feet and wasn’t wasting a minute.”
The Paddington terrace the men are alleged to have been killed inside of has been turned into a makeshift shrine over the past few days.
Friends and locals have adorned its fences and porch with flowers and emotional tributes.
Mr Baird, a Channel 10 presenter, was being remembered as the “life of the party” by colleagues and those close to him.
“Jesse was the life of every party. Someone who was kind and funny and genuinely interested in everyone around him,” his friends said in a statement.
“His life-loving attitude was infectious, and he was pure joy to be around. It didn’t matter if you knew Jesse for 5 minutes or 5 years.
“He touched everyone’s lives the moment you met him. That’s what we want to carry with us, how lucky we were to know and adore him.
“We want to thank all the people from far and wide who have been touched by Jesse and Luke and offered their support.
“The boys’ network of friends has been brought together now to remember the huge amount of love and adventure they packed into our worlds.”
News tips: anton.rose@news.com.au
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