The small rural community of Bungonia, south of Sydney, has been rocked by the tragic deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, whose bodies were found in surf bags on a property in the area. The community is in mourning after police charged one of their own, officer Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, with the murder of the couple.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with friends of the victims, have paid tribute to Baird and Davies. Davies was remembered as a free spirit with a love for life and travel, while Baird was described as caring and always wearing a big smile.
The timeline of events leading up to the discovery of the bodies is troubling. Witnesses reported hearing shouting and gunshots from Baird’s home, but police did not respond to an emergency call from Davies’ phone. Days later, they found blood and bullet casings in Baird’s home.
It is alleged that Lamarre-Condon attempted to cover his tracks by disposing of the bodies and sending messages from Baird’s phone. The New South Wales Police have faced criticism for their handling of the case, with the Police Commissioner issuing an apology for insensitive remarks.
As a result of the investigation, the NSW Police have been uninvited from Sydney’s Mardi Gras celebrations, and the Australian Federal Police have voluntarily withdrawn. The community is reeling from the loss of Baird and Davies and trying to come to terms with the shocking turn of events in their quiet town.