Relatives of murdered Network 10 reporter Jesse Baird fought back tears as they said goodbye to their much-loved brother and son in front of hundreds of mourners at a colorful memorial in Melbourne.
The popular and charismatic Studio 10 presenter, 26, and his new partner, Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, were allegedly shot dead by NSW Police Senior Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon , on Paddington Terrace in Sydney’s Baird Town Center on February 19.
Their bodies were found inside surfboard bags 200 kilometers away, on a rural property in Bungonia, nine days later, after an extensive search for the missing couple that stretched from Newcastle in the north to Goulburn in the south. .
There was not an empty seat inside the auditorium of the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Center in Melbourne’s north, where hundreds gathered to celebrate Baird’s life on Tuesday.
Baird’s sister, Kourtnee, fought through tears to say goodbye to her brother.
‘You are the absolute light of my life. “My biggest inspiration and my biggest cheerleader,” she said.
His mother Helen paid tribute to her “beautiful, precious, loving, caring, generous, caring and talented boy”.
“Our hearts and lives have been changed forever and there is less brightness in the world,” said Mrs Baird.
Guest attendees were asked to wear bright colors, while Melbourne-born Mr Baird’s fellow AFL referees wore uniform in his honour.
Hundreds of mourners gathered in Melbourne on Tuesday to say farewell to former Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird.
Attendees arrived at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Center in an array of bright colors
A host of Channel 10 stars were among the brightly dressed mourners who arrived and hugged Mr. Baird’s loved ones and each other before the service.
Network anchor Daniel Doody was among those who praised his former colleague.
“Jesse was cheeky, funny, loving, hard-working, a heartthrob,” Mr. Doody said to laughter from the audience.
Brendan Baird, Jesse’s brother, spoke of the heartbreaking family events he will never be a part of.
“One day my children will know all about their Uncle Jesse and it hurts me that you won’t be there as my best man like you already agreed to be when I married Nikki,” he said.
The stage at the front of the packed auditorium was adorned with a tribute balloon that spelled out Mr. Baird’s name, along with up to a dozen photographs of him at various stages of life.
Jesse’s heartbroken father said he would be “missed but never forgotten.”
“This is their last show,” he said.
After the service, the large crowd gathered outside to blow a flurry of bubbles.
Solemn mourners were seen leaving the scene with photographs of Mr Baird.
The convention center is not typically hired for funerals, but was chosen by Mr. Baird’s family to accommodate the expected large turnout.
The location is about 11 kilometers from where Mr Baird grew up in Diamond Creek, where he played in the AFL at senior level.
He graduated from Loyola College in Watsonia in 2015 before moving to Queensland and later Sydney to pursue his career as a television presenter.
The memorial follows a community vigil in Sydney for Mr Baird and his partner in the run-up to Mardi Gras earlier this month.
A service for Mr Davies will be held in his home state of Queensland in April.
Friends, family and former colleagues gave Jesse Baird a colorful and emotional farewell in Melbourne.
The large gathering of mourners bubbled up Jesse’s memory after the memorial service.
The emotional service was held not far from where Jesse grew up in Melbourne’s north.
The auditorium stage was decorated with colorful balloons and photographs of Jesse.
Jesse Baird (pictured center with Studio 10 colleagues Tristian McManus and Angela Bishop) was allegedly murdered along with his new partner at their Sydney home five weeks ago.
Ten news A special tribute recently aired celebrating Mr. Baird’s life and his six-year stint at the network in various roles on the first brisbane and then Sydney.
News anchor Sandra Sully struggled to maintain her composure as she hosted the segment and asked viewers to remember Jesse as a talented and caring young man.
It has also been revealed that Mr Baird’s flatmates moved out of Paddington terrace, where he and his new partner were allegedly murdered and left overnight under a tarpaulin in the property’s courtyard.
Homicide detectives continue to work on the investigation ahead of the next court summons.
Lamarre-Condon was officially removed from the ranks of the New South Wales Police last Friday.
He has been charged with two counts of murder and is currently behind bars at the Silverwater Correctional Complex in western Sydney.
It will reappear at Sydney’s Downing Center on April 23.
Detectives will allege Lamarre-Condon killed Mr Baird in a premeditated attack after a campaign of predatory behavior that lasted months.
There were tears and tributes at the service attended by hundreds of people who knew Jesse Baird.
There was not an empty seat inside the packed auditorium (pictured)
Mourners left the funeral with photographs of the beloved TV presenter.