A family member of former Ten reporter Jesse Baird says the 26-year-old Sydney man who was allegedly murdered was “one in a million”.
The body of Baird and his boyfriend, 29-year-old flight attendant Luke Davies, remain missing two days after police officer Beaumont Lamarre-Condon was charged with their alleged murders.
The couple’s disappearance was considered suspicious when possessions belonging to both of them were found in a skip bin in the southern Sydney suburb of Cronulla on Wednesday.
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The discovery led police to Mr Baird’s blood-smeared share house, about 30km away in inner-city Paddington.
Lamarre-Condon handed himself in on Friday and was later charged with two counts of murder.
Police are continuing to probe where the bodies of Baird and Davies could be located.
On Instagram, Baird’s cousin, Austin Baird paid tribute to the 26-year-old and said the two were best friends.
“Most of my favourite memories in life were me, Luke, Brendan and you riding motorbikes, skiing, boating and camping,” he said.
“I’ll never forget our chats, all the times we would hang out on the weekends and go away with family and friends. I told you things I’d never tell anyone. I trusted you, I’ve laughed and cried in front of you!”
Austin said he was beyond devastated about Jesse’s death and called him a “one a million” person.
“You cared about everyone and left such an impact on every person you met!” he said in the post.
“I’ll love and remember you forever mate. It is an honour to be your cousin. Till we meet again.”
Baird’s former Network 10 colleagues also paid their respects on social media while the AFL, who he was recently acting as an umpire for, issued 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,” the statement said.