Hundreds of people have gathered to remember Jesse Baird and Luke Davies at a silent vigil in Sydney on the eve of Mardi Gras celebrations.
Baird and Davies were allegedly murdered by police officer turned celebrity hunter Beau Lamarre-Condon inside their home in Paddington, in the city’s affluent eastern suburbs, on February 19.
The bodies of Davies, 29, and Baird, 26, were found inside surfboard bags on the fence of a rural property in Bungonia, near Goulburn, about 200 kilometers south-west of the city, on Tuesday. .
Friends and family gathered (pictured) to hold a silent vigil in Sydney for Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
The vigil was organized with the permission of the couple’s families and took place in Green Park, in the nearby suburb of Darlinghurst.
The vigil is timed on the eve of Sydney’s annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, where organizers are expected to recognize the couple.
Hundreds of people turned out to mourn the couple as many of those gathered in the park struggled to contain their emotions.
Those attending the vigil were seen comforting each other and dozens of people laid bouquets of flowers at the vigil site.
Friends and colleagues of Mr Baird said he was “the life of every party”.
“His life-loving attitude was infectious and he was a pure joy to be around,” they said.
“That’s what we want to take with us, how lucky we were to know him and adore him.”
Many of those who gathered at Green Park in Darlinghurst (pictured) struggled to contain their emotions.
Friends comforted each other during the vigil (pictured)
Baird and Davies’ families gave permission for mourners (pictured) to gather at Friday’s vigil.
Also in attendance were Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich and Sydney Mayor Clover Moore (pictured left).
The vigil (pictured) took place on the eve of Sydney’s annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
Many of Mr Baird’s friends and colleagues who attended the vigil (pictured) remembered him fondly.
Independent member for Sydney Alex Greenwich and Sydney Mayor Clover Moore also attended the vigil.
Greenwich said his office, along the parade route on Oxford St, had been overwhelmed by community distress.
“These tragic deaths remind us that we must redouble our efforts to improve the safety and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people in New South Wales,” he said.
Mardi Gras parade organizers are expected to pay tribute to Baird and Davies.
Mardi Gras board co-chair Brandon Bear said the LGBTQI celebration will be a more somber event than usual for some people.
‘Everyone brings what they’re going to bring to Mardi Gras…if you come to the parade on Saturday, there will be a space for you, we will keep that space for you and you can be part of our community in that space,’ he said Friday.
Baird and Davies were allegedly murdered by former New South Wales police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon (pictured, a painting by Baird and Davies)
People placed bouquets of flowers at the vigil site
Mourners gathered at the vigil (pictured) not far from the inner Sydney suburb of Paddington where Baird and Davies were allegedly murdered inside a property.
Qantas will honor Davies on its Mardi Gras parade float, while the AFL is expected to announce a tribute to Baird, who refereed 62 games, including two finals, in the coming weeks.
NSW police officers will march in the parade out of uniform after reaching a compromise with organizers as they had previously not been invited after Lamarre-Condon was charged.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb said she would not attend the planned vigil because she did not want to interfere with the grief of mourners.
He will attend the Mardi Gras parade on Saturday.
There are more tributes planned for Mr Baird and Mr Davies at the Mardi Gras parade on Saturday (pictured attendees gathered at the vigil)
