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New South Wales Police divers were seen scouring a stream in Newcastle as they continue a search for the remains of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, who are presumed dead following a bloody encounter in their Paddington home.
Authorities have already charged serving officer Beau Lamarre-Condon with the couple’s murder, alleging the constable may have used his police issued handgun to kill the pair.
Despite this, Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty from the NSW Police Homicide Squad maintained on Friday the exact cause of death for the couple had not yet been established, with investigators still seeking the remains of both men.
It is alleged that Lamarre-Condon hired a white Toyota HiAce van which he used to dispose of Messrs Baird and Davies’ bodies and it is understood police are searching a number of potential sites across NSW in the hopes of discovering their location.
Among those sites is a section of a street in the Newcastle suburb of Lambton, with the ABC capturing photos showing police divers on their hands and knees as they searched a nearby stream for evidence.
Authorities believe 28-year-old Lamarre-Condon was in Newcastle on Thursday night before handing himself in at Bondi Police Station on Friday morning.
The street section remained cordoned off over Saturday and it is understood there are multiple crime scenes being investigated between Sydney and Newcastle.
In addition to the search for the couple’s remains, police are also seeking other evidence linking Lamarre-Condon to their deaths.
Detective Superintendent Doherty said on Friday that investigators would focus on the accused officer’s “efforts to conceal” the alleged murders, as it emerged text messages had been sent from Mr Baird’s phone hours after his death.
Lamarre-Condon has offered no assistance to police during their enquiries, Detective Superintendent Doherty added.
He appeared before Waverley Local Court on Friday with no bail application made.
Tributes for Mr Baird, an adored former producer and host of Network Ten’s now ceased breakfast program Studio 10, have begun to flow on social media following police allegations he had been shot.
Long-time Network Ten reporter Hugh Rimington tweeted a brief statement on Friday as he expressed his grief at the passing of his colleague.
“RIP my beloved young colleague, Jesse. Happy with a new man – and that, it is being alleged, was the problem,” he wrote.
“Condolences also to the family and friends of Luke Davies. Many tears tonight.”
Mr Baird also received a tribute from the AFL, with the sporting code thanking the former Network Ten host for his service as an umpire and offering support to the families of both men.
“The AFL is deeply saddened to learn of the distressing news today regarding umpire Jesse Baird and his partner Luke Davies,” they said in a statement.
“The entire AFL family’s thoughts are with both Jesse and Luke’s families, as well as our umpiring and broader team during this very difficult time.”
Friends and family of Mr Davies, who worked as an international flight attendant for Qantas, also mourned his loss.
Jo Johnson, a friend, described him as an “incredible human,” writing on Facebook he was “like no one I’ve ever met. I will cherish you forever.”
In a statement, Qantas also expressed their shock at the news, saying the airline’s thoughts were “with family, friends and colleagues of our crew member at this very difficult time.”
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