Trial of Beau Lamarre-Condon Exposes Detective’s Tears and Flower Ruses
Former New South Wales police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon stood trial in the NSW Supreme Court, where a lead investigator broke down in court describing the discovery of the bodies of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. Mr Baird, 26, and his new boyfriend Mr Davies, 29, were shot dead inside a Sydney terrace in February 2024, according to court proceedings detailed by 1news.co.nz, Yahoo News Australia, and The Courier.
Mr Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty to murder. His legal defense argues the two men died during separate violent struggles after the accused entered the Paddington terrace disguised as a food delivery rider. Prosecutors allege the former officer became violently infatuated with Mr Baird after their relationship ended in November 2023, meticulously planning the killings before attempting to conceal the remains 200 kilometers south of Sydney.
Detective Senior Constable Abela Recounts Discovery at Cella Farm
Detective Senior Constable Christine Abela coordinated the search of Cella Farm in Bungonia, where the accused allegedly tried to sink the victims’ bodies in a farm dam. Testifying before the NSW Supreme Court jury, Det Sen Const Abela described arriving at the property on February 27, 2024, after being diverted from a search at a nearby Greek monastery.
There was a strong smell as soon as I got out of the car, the scent of a decomposing body,
Det Sen Const Abela told the court, as reported by Yahoo News Australia. The detective became visibly emotional as prosecutor Brett Hatfield SC guided her through the recovery.
The remains were found inside two blue and silver surfboard bags covered with stones, branches, and sticks. Crime scene officers also located black plastic bags, a wheelbarrow, concrete blocks, and gym weights near the edge of the farm dam. While a property CCTV system had its cables cut, Det Sen Const Abela agreed under cross-examination that cockatoos—as suggested by the farm owner—were likely responsible for the damage rather than the accused, 1news.co.nz reported. A padlock at the property had been cut with an angle grinder that prosecutors allege Mr Lamarre-Condon had a friend purchase during the drive from Sydney.
Nicole Harvell Testifies on Instagram Flower Ruse
Nicole Harvell, a close friend and sworn police officer who maintained daily contact with Mr Lamarre-Condon, gave evidence regarding the accused man’s behavior prior to the killings. Ms Harvell told the court she could not recall any conversations with the defendant about Mr Baird following their final breakup, despite their frequent communication, according to The Courier.
However, under cross-examination, Ms Harvell detailed an elaborate deception orchestrated by Mr Lamarre-Condon months before the deaths. The accused posted an Instagram story featuring flowers with the caption, When he’s in Melbourne but still sends you these,
restricting visibility to select friends to exclude Mr Baird. The ruse aimed to trick Mr Baird into believing someone else was sending gifts.
When Mr Baird discovered the deception, Mr Lamarre-Condon spent $160 on an identical bouquet and sent a photograph to Mr Baird showing the defendant’s mother, Coleen Lamarre, holding the fresh flowers. The accompanying handwritten note falsely implied the bouquet was sent to her by her partner in Melbourne. Ms Harvell testified that the accused admitted his mother wrote the note at his request.