Slain flight attendant Luke Davies farewelled by hundreds at hometown park
Luke Davies and his partner Jesse Baird were allegedly killed by a serving police officer. He was just 29 years old.
Heartbreaking scenes were witnessed at the funeral of Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies has who was allegedly murdered alongside partner Jesse Baird by a NSW Police officer.
Police allege Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon killed Mr Davies, 29, and Mr Baird, 26, at the latter’s terrace house in Paddington in Sydney’s east on February 19.
A memorial service for Mr Davies is taking place at a local park in the Brisbane suburb of New Farm, where Mr Davies previously had resided.
Hundreds of loved ones have filled the park, many wearing white, with his family seated in the front row.
His family were overcome with emotion as family, friends and even former school teachers gushed over the wonderful person they knew.
“I will go on forever trying to forever be like you… you were taken from us far too soon,” his brother John said.
His mother Sandra Davies cried as fond memories were shared about her son.
Jessica Vaux shared a treasured memory she had with Luke going on an impromptu camp trip to try out his new swag.
“We forgot to get ice on the way, so on arrival we had six hot beers, a bottle of wine and no access to firewood,” she said.
Ms Vaux said the hilarious evening, spent listening to John Farnham and Tina Turner, culminated in the swag flooding the next morning.
“I will miss his warm hugs, his sense of humour, his forever smiling face,” she said.
“Our personal jokes will now live forever in my heart.”
Luke’s friend Dean Bailey remembered how he created a new kind of margarita cocktail by just mixing ice and tequila - creating an iconic phrase: “Wanna come for a frozy with Lukey?”
“Lukey my friend, if the word unforgettable was ever a person, it would be you,” Mr Bailey said.
Monica Suman, a colleague of Mr Davies’, said he helped her get through her first shift at work and remembered how he would always be willing to lend an ear to anything, be it “silly” or serious.
She said a car ride with him was “never boring” as they would blast Celine Dion and sing “very badly” together.
Fond memories of his childhood, including his antics with his brothers avoiding swooping magpies using ice cream bucket hats, were relayed to the crowd.
Mr Davies was remembered for his love of travelling and adventure, his desire to live life to its fullest and his adoration of teams like the Sydney Swans.
Brother Brock Davies said there was not a day that went by when he did not think of Luke’s infectious smile and his ability to light up the room.
He said he would cherish their brotherly bond for life.
“It’s not goodbye forever, fly high my little brother,” Brock said.
Two large screens outside the park’s rotunda are showcasing photos of Mr Davies, along with a floral tribute of sunflowers.
Luke’s schoolteacher Stuart Crichton said the darkness of Luke’s death would not be overshadowed by his personality and “infectious” positivity.
He revealed many were in tears at learning of his passing and called him “cherished”.
“He brought pure goodness, light, he had a cheeky fun loving demeanour,” Mr Crichton said.
Daniel Hart called Luke his “go to” for advice, speaking about how he would always listen, crack a joke, and give the best advice he could.
He remembered a time when Luke invited him to a weekend away with Nino Lalic and the antics they got up to.
Mr Hart revealed he was also moving to Sydney around the same time as Mr Davies did, speaking of his excitement at living in the same city with their dream jobs.
He said Mr Davies found the humour in losing some items on his second night in Sydney.
“I’ve never experienced a friendship quite like his, and I probably won’t again,” Mr Hart said
“You truly were the best. I love you.”
Claire Horsfield, a close friend of Mr Davies who met him through mutual friends, said today marked a celebration of his life.
She said she was surprised at the sheer number of people attending.
“It shows the impact he had: he was just one person but everyone has been brought here today,” Ms Horsfield said.
“It’s a sad moment but it’s one we want to cherish.”
“Luke was one of the finest students I had the privilege of teaching.
His empathy and compassion were at the forefront of everything he stood for as a little boy. He supported and motivated the peers in his class.”
Part of the tributes include Mr Davies’ own flight jacket, placed at the front of one of the screens.
Mr Davies -affectionately called “Lukey Boy” - was remembered for his ability to “light up the room”.
A reception is expected to be held at the nearby at the nearby Powerhouse Museum after the memorial, which comes after widespread grief over the couple's death.
National airline Qantas paid tribute to Mr Davies at Sydney’s Mardi Gras parade in March, with the nose cone of a plane bearing his name featured in their float.
A GoFundMe page run on behalf of Mr Davies’ mother, Sandra Davies, raised more than $75,000 since the couple’s alleged murder more than two months prior.
In an update in March, Ms Davies thanked all those who donated – some as much as $2000 – to her “beloved, and most beautiful, kindest son Luke”.
“These words just don’t seem enough for the overwhelming love and generosity both Luke and Jesse have received these past few weeks,” she said.
“To all the family, friends, and strangers for your generous gifts and words of support we appreciate all of your help during this very traumatic and difficult time.”
According to the campaign, the funds are to be used to “help his (Mr Davies’) family in this tragic time and help give him the send off he deserves”.
Partner Jesse Baird, who was a producer with Network 10, was earlier farewelled by family, friends, and colleagues at a funeral in Melbourne in March.
The bodies of Mr Davies and Mr Baird were found at a remote property in Bungonia, some 200km southwest of Sydney, on February 27 – just shy of a week after they were first reported missing.
Beau Lamarre-Condon, a former NSW Police constable, has been charged with the couple’s murder – allegedly using his police-issued firearm – at Mr Baird’s inner-city Paddington home on February 19.
He is alleged to have dumped the pair’s bodies at the Bungonia property on February 22.
The couple’s deaths sent shockwaves through Sydney and led to an outpouring of grief across the nation.
Several vigils have already been held for the couple – including a silent gathering of 60 people in Bronte to honour Mr Davies’ life.
Last month, hundreds of mourners donned brightly-coloured clothing to farewell Mr Baird at a memorial service at the Plenty Ranges Art and Convention Centre, north of Melbourne.
Mr Baird’s mother Helen said there was “less sparkle in the world” in a heartbreaking speech about her loss.
“My beautiful, generous, loving, precious, caring and talented boy, our hearts and lives are changed forever,” she said.
“I promise to fight for you and make you proud. My heart is broken, my darling boy, and I love you more than this world.”
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