Jesse Baird never involved with Lamarre-Condon, as police continue search for NSW bodies and clear unwitting associate Renee Fortuna
Police are no closer to finding the bodies of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies as a police officer who unwittingly aided accused murderer Beau Lamarre-Condon is named.
Alleged murderer Beau Lamarre-Condon was never in a relationship with murder victim and former Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird, an ex-partner and close friend has claimed.
The Daily Mail has reported that Corey-Dean Thorpe, a former partner and close friend of Mr Baird denied Lamarre-Condon and Mr Baird were ever in a relationship. This account was corroborated by another friend who spoke to ABC’s 7.30 on Monday night, who described the relationship as a “casual encounter”.
It is reported that Mr Thorpe said Lamarre-Condon was romantically interested in Mr Baird who did not feel the same about him.
Mr Baird later cut off contact with Lamarre-Condon after the alleged murderer reportedly began posting material online that inaccurately asserted the pair were romantically involved.
The news comes after Deputy NSW Police Commissioner David Hudson yesterday claimed that Mr Baird and Lamarre-Condon were in a “on and off again” relationship that “did not end well”.
“Jesse would be so angry at the portrayal in the media of Beau as his ex-partner, and it’s disrespectful to Jesse’s family that Beau is being made out to be his ex,” Mr Thorpe said.
“They were friends, but when Beau began filming them and putting videos on Instagram – which were hidden from Jesse – making it look as if they were a couple, Jesse told him, ‘We can’t be friends anymore’.”
The Daily Mail posted a screencap of an exchange between Mr Thorpe and Mr Baird.
“Beau, I feel hurt and feel like I’m being lied to. This afternoon I gave you a chance to tell me the truth, and I don’t think you did that,” the text message allegedly sent to Lamarre-Condon reads.
“There have been many examples that have been brought to me since we met, that show you’ve acted in a way that’s completely inappropriate. I’m not going to stand for it anymore.
“I think it’s best if we focus on ourselves and stop seeing each other. I have thought long and hard about this and know that it’s the right decision for me. I would appreciate it if you could refrain from contacting me.”
In a reply, Mr Thorpe suggested to Mr Baird that if he cut off contact with Lamarre-Condon the NSW Police constable may “show up at his front door”.
Mr Thorpe alleges that Lamarre-Condon and Mr Baird first met at a nightclub shortly after Mr Baird and himself had ended their five year relationship. Mr Baird had reportedly just moved to Sydney and entered a “friends with benefits” arrangement with Lamarre-Condon that ended when the alleged perpetrator confessed a deeper romantic interest to Mr Baird.
Mr Thorpe also corroborated the account of Lamarre-Condon’s alleged break-in to Mr Baird’s Paddington residence in August 2023, prior to the alleged double homicide. He claimed that Mr Baird told him Lamarre-Condon entered the bedroom, took Mr Baird’s phone and wallet and fled the room when Mr Baird woke up.
It is alleged that Lamarre-Condon went on to use the phone to block Mr Baird from contacting other people in his life, and would keep tabs on his location.
“Jesse would be at a cafe with another guy, having a coffee, and he would get text messages from Beau saying “I hope you’re enjoying that coffee with that other guy”,” Mr Thorpe told the Daily Mail.
It is alleged that Mr Baird and Mr Davies only began dating in February of this year.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb appeared on Channel 7 on Tuesday and confirmed that one of the unwitting associates of Lamarre-Condon, following his alleged murder of Mr Davies and Mr Baird, was a former NSW police officer.
“We probably don’t know the extent of all those people that have been involved at this stage … One is a police officer, former officer, but that is not the person that he was in the (Goulburn) area with,” Ms Webb said.
“I just need to clear that up. There’s been some confusion around which person was in and around that farm or dam and it’s not the police officer.”
The Commissioner conceded that police had not yet found the bodies of the two young men, and that police divers had concluded their investigation of the two Bungonia dams.
“The divers finished at the dam last night. However, we have still got police on the scene down there doing a line search,” she said. We still believe there might be some evidence in that area.”
An additional crime scene has been established at Gray’s Point Oval after a dog-walker found bloodstains in the area. Police believe it is likely connected to deer culling in the region but have investigated regardless.
The region is Lamarre-Condon’s childhood suburb.
Ms Webb has come under criticism for her handling of the investigation, and interactions with the public in regards to the facts of the case. It has also sparked further conversation on the Force’s handling of firearm management and homophobia.
Ms Webb compared herself to global popstar Taylor Swift when queried on the drop in support for her police management.
“There will always be haters. Haters like to hate. Isn’t that what Taylor says? I have a job to do,” Ms Webb said.
The police associate mentioned by Ms Webb was identified by Channel 7 on Monday as NSW officer Renee Fortuna.
Lamarre-Condon is alleged to have visited Ms Fortuna on Thursday February 22 at her Newcastle residence where he hosed down the van he is believed to have transported the bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies in, after leaving the Goulburn area.
Ms Fortuna is not accused of any wrongdoing.
NSW Police were formally disinvited from this year’s mardi gras on Monday, with Ms Webb expressing disappointment in the decision.
Anthony Albanese on Tuesday morning said he understood the decision by the mardi gras board.
“I understand that the queer community in Sydney in particular … are grieving what is an enormous tragedy,” he said on ABC Melbourne.
“Their concerns centre on whether it can still be a space to protest, celebrate, and advocate for equality, as well as to honour and grieve for those we’ve lost, given the NSW Police’s participation in this year’s event.”
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