Former New South Wales police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon is currently standing trial in the NSW Supreme Court, where he has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. Prosecutors allege Mr. Lamarre-Condon used his service weapon to kill the two men at Mr. Baird’s Paddington home on February 19, 2024, before disposing of their bodies in the NSW Southern Tablelands, as reported by news.com.au.
Allegations of Stalking and Obsessive Behavior
The prosecution’s case centers on a pattern of behavior described as "obsessive" and "jealous" leading up to the deaths. According to evidence presented to the jury, Mr. Lamarre-Condon allegedly monitored Mr. Baird’s phone, blocked contacts, and deleted messages without the journalist’s knowledge. The court heard that after their first breakup in April 2023, Mr. Lamarre-Condon sent a message to Mr. Baird quoting the phrase, "Goodbyes don’t necessarily mean forever," before allegedly engaging in months of covert surveillance.
Testimony from Georgia Cook, a former friend of the accused, revealed that Mr. Lamarre-Condon had allegedly spoken about watching Mr. Baird through a window and breaking into his home. Ms. Cook testified that during a dinner in May 2023, the accused suggested that if he were to kill someone, he would place their belongings in a dumpster and hide their remains in bushland where they would never be found, according to the ABC.
The Days Before the Killings
The trial heard that Mr. Lamarre-Condon discussed the high-profile murder of Lilie James with a police colleague, Ben Higginson, on February 18, 2024—the day before the alleged killings of Mr. Baird and Mr. Davies. Mr. Higginson testified that the accused described the perpetrator of the James murder as "stupid" for carrying out the act on CCTV and inquired whether the killer would have evaded detection had he not died by suicide, as reported by The Guardian.
Following the deaths, surveillance footage showed Mr. Lamarre-Condon purchasing a second surfboard bag at a store in Miranda, in southern Sydney, on the afternoon of February 19. The bodies of Mr. Baird and Mr. Davies were later discovered inside two surfboard bags near a fence line at a monastery in Bungonia.
Defense and Witness Testimony
During cross-examination, the defense has challenged the accounts provided by the accused’s former associates. Barrister John Stratton, SC, questioned Ms. Cook regarding a prior drug possession charge and a financial dispute involving unpaid modeling work, which the defense suggested may have strained their friendship.
The court also heard an audio recording of a Triple Zero call placed from Mr. Davies’ phone at 9:50 a.m. on the morning of the killings. In the recording, a voice is heard saying "fuck off" before the call is disconnected. The defense has argued that Mr. Lamarre-Condon acted in self-defense after killing Mr. Baird, and that the second death occurred during a subsequent violent struggle, according to Nine.com.au.
Questions Regarding the Evidence
The trial is scheduled to run for 12 weeks in the NSW Supreme Court before Justice Natalie Adams. Mr. Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter.
Prosecutors presented surveillance footage showing Mr. Lamarre-Condon purchasing surfboard bags in the hours following the deaths. The victims’ remains were eventually located in two such bags near a monastery in Bungonia, as noted by The Guardian.
The court heard that in a final attempt to win Mr. Baird back, Mr. Lamarre-Condon sent a 1,600-word message claiming he had been diagnosed with cancer. The prosecution stated this diagnosis was fabricated, as reported by the ABC.
The proceedings continue as the court examines the timeline of the accused’s actions and his interactions with colleagues and friends in the lead-up to the deaths.