‘Utter shock’: Police search for missing former TV presenter Jesse Baird and partner Luke Davies

A disturbing new line of inquiry has emerged in the hunt for a missing Channel 10 presenter and his partner, after a “significant” amount of blood was found.

The Channel 10 star missing along with his partner feared he was being stalked by a police officer, friends have claimed, as investigators hunt for a third person.

TV presenter Jesse Baird, 26, is at the centre of a frantic search along with his partner, Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, 29, with police holding “grave concerns” for the couple.

Bloodied clothes belonging to Mr Davies and “another man” were found dumped behind a skip-bin in the south Sydney suburb of Cronulla by a worker on Wednesday.

A “significant” amount of blood and signs of a struggle were then discovered inside the red carpet reporter’s rented home in Sydney’s inner-east suburb of Paddington.

It has now emerged that during inquiries, police discovered a serving officer dated Mr Baird, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Investigators are now trying to speak to this officer, but have been unable to find him.

It is understood he took sick leave this week.

Police confirmed on Thursday evening that there were trying to locate a third person who “may be able to assist with the investigation”.

Friends of Mr Baird said he suffered a bitter break up with the officer in question and described him as a stalker.

“I’m so scared for his wellbeing,” a friend told The Daily Telegraph.

“He used the word stalker”.

CCTV shows the couple walking back to the terrace house on Monday night and going inside. They have not been seen again.

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Jesse Baird (right) with Sarah Harris. Picture: Instagram

Pictured from left Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. Picture: Instagram

Asked if there was a “significant” amount of blood, enough for a fatality, at the crime scene, detective superintendent Jodi Radmore confirmed there was. She added that there were “signs of a struggle” as furniture had been moved around.

It is understood that blood had soaked through floorboards of the home and that attempts had been made to clean it.

Neighbours said they heard shouting from the Paddington property on Monday.

Neither Mr Baird or Mr Davies been seen since and their credit cards have not been used since the weekend.

“If Jesse is seeing this we’d like him to contact us,” Ms Radmore said.

Ms Radmore said a phone and a credit card were also found in the skip.

Two cars were seized, one belonging to each man, as well as a third car owned by Mr Baird.

An initial police appeal said detectives were only searching for Mr Davies. Ms Radmore explained this was because Mr Baird’s family hadn’t been contacted yet.

Police have now confirmed that Mr Baird’s mobile phone was active on Tuesday night, when text messages were sent to friends, leading police to think Mr Baird was alive, and that possibly Mr Davies had met with foul play.

However when they spoke to Mr Baird’s family they confirmed he too was missing. Police were also told that one of them men had a stalker.

Missing men were in a loving relationship

Mr Davies grew up in Brisbane, but moved to Sydney in November last year.

A friend said the pair had been dating for “a few months at most”.

“I spoke to Luke just before he moved from Brisbane to Sydney with work a few months ago,” she said.

“He was so excited for his next chapter and flying long haul. He’s such a lovely and charismatic person.”

Friend Tomas Mian, who has known Mr Davies for ten years, said his friends from home were shaken by the news.

Luke Davies (left) and Jesse Baird (right) and Brockenwood Winery in the Hunter Valley, in early February. Picture: Instagram

“Luke has a lot of friends and is very fun social person. He is a kind and generous boy,” he said.

“He seemed to love his new job. All of his Brisbane friends are in utter shock to only find this out today.”

A colleague of Mr Davies, who asked not to be named, told news.com.au: “Everyone at Qantas is so shocked by this.”

In a statement, Qantas said they were providing support to staff who were friends with Mr Davies.

“Our thoughts are with family, friends and colleagues of our crew member at this very difficult time,” they said.

A former close colleague of Mr Baird from Studio 10, who declined to be named, was also shocked by the news.

“He’s such a lovely big hearted kid. A good kid. Everyone at Studio 10 loved him,” they said.

What appears to be blood on an item of furniture outside the home. Picture: OnScene Bondi

Police removed items of furniture from the home. Picture: OnScene Bondi

Mr Baird had been appointed to officiate a practice AFL match on Thursday between Sydney and Greatern Western Sydney at Tramway Oval at Moore Park.

The AFL contacted the family of Mr Baird on Thursday when he did not show up at 10am, according to the Herald Sun.

At the crime scene today, police have taken items from the home – including a cabinet that appears to have blood specks on it.

Detectives in suits remained outside the home cordoned off with police tape this afternoon, as office workers returned to their homes in the street overhung by large leafy trees.

One neighbour said it was “pretty scary” to think something like this could happen so close to home. She didn’t know the couple personally but had seen them around.

“The police have been here since yesterday so there’s been a lot of police, a lot of reporters,” she said.

Officers have also searched Mr Davies’ apartment in Waterloo in Sydney’s inner-south, however it’s believed he was last seen in Paddington after visiting his partner on Monday.

“He has not been seen since, his family have been unable to contact him and he has not been at work,” a NSW Police spokesman said.

His disappearance is being considered suspicious.

“Following inquiries, detectives are looking at a line of inquiry that a third person may be able to assist with the investigation, a police statement read on Thursday night.

“Detectives will continue to look at all past relationships and associations.”

A crime scene has been established at a Paddington home. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Police have declared a crime scene at the house. Picture: OnScene Bondi

Items were found in a skip bin at a sports field in Cronulla.

Mr Davies is described as being of caucasian appearance and 170cm to 175cm tall with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes.

It’s not known what he was wearing at the time.

The men went to a concert by pop star Pink in Sydney last week and had recently holidayed in the Hunter Valley, their social media feeds show.

Jesse Baird (left) and Luke Davies pictured just three days ago at the Pink concert. Picture: Instagram

Mr Baird worked at Network Ten on the children’s show Totally Wild before joining Studio 10. He also reported on red carpets for news shows.

He left the network in January, it’s understood.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about Luke’s whereabouts – or who may have information relevant to the investigation – to contact Waverley Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

More to come …