Family and friends are arriving at the funeral of Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies after he was allegedly murdered by a NSW police officer along with his partner Jesse Baird, and his brother John told those gathered that his brother was taken “too soon.”
Police allege Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon killed Mr Davies, 29, and Mr Baird, 26, at the latter’s terraced house in Paddington, eastern Sydney, on February 19.
A memorial service for Mr Davies will begin within minutes at the local park in the Brisbane suburb of New Farm, where Mr Davies had previously resided.
Hundreds of loved ones flock to the park, many of them dressed in white in honor of Mr Davies.
Two large screens outside the park’s rotunda display photographs of Mr Davies, along with a floral tribute of sunflowers.
“I’ll always keep trying to be like you… you were taken away too soon,” his brother John said.
Luke Davies and Jesse Baird were allegedly murdered by former New South Wales police officer Beau-Lamarre-Condon at Baird’s Paddington home in February. Image: Supplied / Instagram
Luke Davies’ mother (centre) with family and friends during Luke Davies’ memorial service at New Farm Park in Brisbane.
A crowd of loved ones attend Luke Davies’ funeral. Image: Supplied
Claire Horsfield, a close friend of Mr Davies who met him through mutual friends, said today was a celebration of his life.
She said she was surprised by the large number of people who attended.
“It shows the impact it had – it was just one person, but today everyone has been brought here,” Mrs Horsfield said.
“It’s a sad moment, but we want to appreciate it.”
A reception is expected to be held at the nearby Powerhouse Museum after the tribute, which comes after widespread grief over the couple’s deaths.
National airline Qantas paid tribute to Davies at Sydney’s Mardi Gras parade in March, with the conical nose of an aircraft bearing his name on its float.
A GoFundMe page run on behalf of Mr Davies’s mother, Sandra Davies, has raised more than $75,000 since the couple’s alleged murder more than two months earlier.
In a March update, Davies thanked all those who donated (some as much as $2,000) to his “beloved, beautiful, kind son Luke.”
“These words just don’t seem like enough for the overwhelming love and generosity that both Luke and Jesse have received over the past few weeks,” she said.
‘To all family, friends and strangers for your generous gifts and words of support, we appreciate all your help during this very traumatic and difficult time.’
Hundreds of loved ones flock to the park, many dressed in white in honor of Mr Davies.
Luke Davies will say goodbye on Saturday. Photo: Instagram
The couple’s death caused an outpouring of grief across the country. Instagram photo
According to the campaign, the funds will be used to “help his (Mr Davies) family at this tragic time and help give him the send-off he deserves”.
Partner Jesse Baird, who was a Network 10 producer, was previously farewelled by family, friends and colleagues at a funeral in Melbourne in March.
The bodies of Davies and Baird were found on a remote property in Bungonia, about 200 kilometers southwest of Sydney, on February 27, just a week after they were first reported missing.
Beau Lamarre-Condon, a former New South Wales police officer, has been charged with the murder of the couple, allegedly using his police-issued firearm, at Baird’s home in Paddington town center on 19 of February.
He is alleged to have dumped the couple’s bodies at the Bungonia property on February 22.
The crime scene where Mr Davies was allegedly murdered along with his partner Mr Baird.
Mr Davies was a Qantas flight attendant and was commemorated at this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
The couple’s deaths shocked Sydney and caused an outpouring of grief across the country.
Several vigils have already been held for the couple, including a silent meeting of 60 people at Brontë to honor the life of Mr Davies.
Last month, Hundreds of mourners dressed in brightly colored clothing. to farewell Mr Baird at a memorial service at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, north of Melbourne.
Baird’s mother Helen said there was “less brightness in the world” in a heartbreaking speech about her loss.
“My beautiful, generous, loving, precious, caring, talented boy, our hearts and our lives have been changed forever,” she said.
‘I promise to fight for you and make you proud. My heart is broken, dear boy, and I love you more than this world.