The AFL has confirmed missing Sydney man Jesse Baird is a goal referee and did not show up for his scheduled duties for a trial match between the Sydney Swans and the GWS Giants this week.
Detectives in New South Wales are investigating the disappearance of former Channel 10 reporter Baird, 26, and fellow Qantas worker Luke Davies, 29, who disappeared from eastern Sydney on Monday and have not been seen. since then.
The revelation comes as the police officer at the center of the search for two missing men, Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon, handed himself over to detectives after his phone, previously turned off, came back on.
The officer, 29, was wanted for questioning over the disappearance of her ex-boyfriend, former Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and Baird’s new partner Luke Davies, 29, from Paddington in Sydney .
Lamarre-Condon had disappeared after informing his superiors of his sick leave and turning off his phone.
Following revelations that his phone had been reactivated, Lamarre-Condon surrendered at Bondi police station on Friday morning.
The disappearance of Baird and Davies was deemed suspicious following the discovery of blood-soaked belongings belonging to both men in a Cronulla bin on Wednesday.
The discovery led police to Baird’s blood-stained shared home, 30 kilometers away, in Paddington, east of the city.
Baird (right) is an AFL goal umpire and has refereed several games, including the curtain raiser at the 2018 AFL Grand Final.
Luke Davies (left) and his partner Baird (right) have been missing since Monday and their disappearance is being treated as suspicious.
Baird, a goal umpire, has umpired in 62 AFL games.
He joined the AFL refereeing roster in 2020 and was one of the referees for the curtain-raising match at the 2018 grand final.
“The AFL confirms that we have been informed by New South Wales Police that Sydney-based AFL goal referee Jesse Baird is missing along with his partner and that a police investigation is ongoing,” the League spokesman Jay Allen said Thursday night.
‘Jesse was appointed to be a goal referee for the simulation of the Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants match at the Tramways Oval in Moore Park this morning, but did not turn up for the game and has not been in contact with his colleagues.
“The AFL has contacted his family and offered support and also offered advice to Jesse’s colleagues and the wider AFL football department who were told the distressing news this afternoon.
“As there is an ongoing police investigation, we are not in a position to comment further but would urge anyone with information to contact NSW Police.”
Authorities first learned of the couple’s disappearance when their belongings were found in a rubbish bin on Wilbar Ave in Cronulla about 11am on Wednesday.
This discovery came three days after Davies was last seen in Paddington.
Baird (left) was scheduled to officiate a pre-season hit between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants this week, but did not attend.
NSW police and detectives investigate Paddington house in connection with disappearance of Baird and Davies
An employee at a nearby store discovered bloody clothes, a mobile phone, credit cards and car keys while throwing away trash and immediately reported it to the police. Ownership of the mobile phone is still undetermined.
After finding these items, NSW Police officers responded to a residence on Brown St in Paddington at around 1pm, establishing the crime scene.
Inside the house, they found overturned furniture and a significant amount of blood, possibly indicating a death, according to Detective Superintendent Jodi Radmore.
Following this, police went to Davies’ home in Waterloo but were unable to locate him. Detective Radmore said officers are exploring all leads.
“We believe, from the crime scene in Paddington and from the property that was located in Cronulla, that there has been some type of incident that probably occurred at the Paddington address,” he said.
Police officer Beau Lamarre’s home has been searched as part of the investigation into the men’s disappearances.
Detectives have searched the home of NSW police officer Beau Lamarre (pictured), Baird’s former partner, as part of the investigation into the men’s disappearances.
Detectives arrived at the sandstone house on Waite Avenue in Balmain, in Sydney’s inner west, about 11.30pm on Thursday night.
Several items were removed from the home in evidence bags, and detectives also taped off a nearby alley.
The house belongs to the parents of NSW Police Constable Beau Lamarre, who officers are searching for in connection with the missing couple. He is a former partner of Baird.
Detectives are also searching for a white van they believe is driven by Constable Lamarre after it was captured on CCTV driving past Mr Baird and Mr Davies in the eastern Sydney suburb of Paddington on Monday at night.
Police are raising serious concerns for the safety of both men and are urging anyone with information regarding Davies’ whereabouts or who is relevant to the investigation to contact Waverley Police or Crime Stoppers.
