By Ben Cubby, Andrew Hornery, Michael Koziol and Ben Grubb
Jesse Baird and Luke Davies had the world at their feet.
The pair were seen as rising stars in their chosen fields – happy, healthy young men loving life and each other, friends told the Herald.
Both had moved to Sydney relatively recently for work – Baird as a television reporter and presenter, Davies having got his big break as a flight attendant on the Qantas international circuit – and they quickly established diverse friendship networks.
Luke Davies (left) and Jesse Baird.
Baird was a “TV natural” whose future was “bright, dazzlingly bright”, Ten presenter Angela Bishop said, and Davies was known to friends for “his passion, his excitement and his sense of adventure.”
Hopes for the couple’s bright future together were snuffed out at 2.05pm on Friday, when homicide squad detective superintendent Daniel Doherty confirmed that murder charges had been laid against police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon for the alleged killing of Baird and Davies.
Jesse Baird as a Network Ten presenter.
“It’s hard to put words to our devastation,” said a friend of Jesse’s, Brett Rosebury. “I will cherish the times we had together.”
Network Ten senior editor Hugh Riminton, a colleague and friend of Baird, said colleagues were heartbroken and in shock. Baird, 26, had worked with Ten as a presenter and reporter until recently and was regarded as a future star in the television world.
Baird grew up in Melbourne’s suburban north-east before his TV work took him to Brisbane and then Sydney last year. He was a keen water skier and motorbike rider and played competitive amateur AFL before moving into AFL umpiring.
He was climbing the professional umpiring ranks and was due to officiate at a pre-season match between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants on Wednesday.
“The tragedy is his life was going so well,” Riminton said. “Jesse had new job offers that were exciting him. He had a new man in his life. He was loving his AFL work. He was fit and so handsome, he was doing what he loved.
“He had a great spirit about him, the guy was loved by everybody.”
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said he was “deeply saddened”, and pledged support to Baird’s family. “The entire AFL family’s thoughts are with Jesse and Luke’s families”.
Luke Davies shared Baird’s love of travel and the beach, and his friend Rory Grant said he had been excited about his new job travelling the world with Qantas.
“He felt very lucky. He was a kind, beautiful soul with a cheeky smile and adored by his friends,” Grant said. “I can’t believe he’s gone. What a tragic waste.”
Luke Davies.Credit: Instagram
Davies’ friend Adam Earnshaw said he was “absolutely shattered”, but “it was hard not to think of Luke and immediately smile … He had such a lust for life and for adventure. I fondly remember our trips and late-night chats. From monkeys attacking him in Bali, to rainforest walks in Cairns, and partying in Sydney. Luke was always up for an adventure.”
Another friend, Ben Bartlett, said: “Luke radiated happiness and warmth. He was so excited by his new life in Sydney and had the world at his feet. We’re devastated.”
Davies’ colleagues said he was a respected and well-liked member of cabin crews.
“He was just a lovely soul, a beautiful human being,” said Teri O’Toole, federal secretary of the Flight Attendant’s Association of Australia. “People are shocked at how tragic this is, there’s just an outpouring of care and love for him.”
Davies had been working on international Qantas flights for about four months and had previously worked with Tiger Airways.
“Our thoughts are with family, friends and colleagues of our crew member at this very difficult time,” Qantas said in a statement.
Jesse Baird (left) and Luke Davies at a Pink concert in Sydney last week.Credit: Instagram
When news of the murder charges broke on Friday afternoon, tributes to the pair posted on social media quickly soared into the thousands.
The LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation said the tragedy and the charges against Lamarre-Condon should shine a light on domestic violence in the LGBTQ community.
“Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Jesse and Luke in light of devastating news,” said the group’s managing director, Ben Bjarnesen.
If you or anyone you know needs support:
QLIFE - Anonymous and free peer support to LBTQ+ communities. 1800RESPECT - Confidential counselling and support services. Lifeline -131 114. Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636