An Australian television network has paid tribute to an “amazingly talented” presenter who was allegedly murdered with his partner by a former lover.
Jesse Baird, 26, and his flight attendant partner Luke Davies, 29, were allegedly shot dead in Mr Baird’s Sydney home last week.
On Wednesday, Network 10 – where Mr Baird worked as a presenter until December – paid tribute to “our friend and former colleague”.
“The Network 10 family has been rocked by the murder of Jesse, alongside that of his partner Luke Davies, and our hearts go out to their families and friends,” the company wrote in a statement posted on social media.
“We want to celebrate Jesse for the man he was, not the way he died.
“Here’s how we remember him – amazingly talented, funny, beautiful inside and out, and forever loved and missed.
“We love you, Jesse.”
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Presenter Sandra Sully also read the tribute live on 10 News First – the network’s daily 5pm news programme – before a montage of Mr Baird’s career highlights was played, which described him as “one of those rare people who was a complete natural on TV”.
The bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies were found by police in surf bags on Tuesday after Beau Lamarre-Condon, a police officer who was in a relationship with the TV presenter until late last year, provided them with information.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute to the couple, describing their deaths as a “terrible incident”.
“I feel for the grieving of the family, the friends, they obviously were full of life because so many people interacted with them,” he said during an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
“It’s a really tough day for, as well, the queer community, and it’s been a very difficult time.”
Image: Flowers laid outside Mr Baird’s home in Sydney. Pic: AP
‘I am numb’
Mr Baird’s close friend also told ABC she was “shattered” by the news, describing him as not just her best friend but her soulmate.
“I am numb, I feel lost and my heart will always have something missing. We had big plans together, and I promise to carry them out for both of us. I’ll make you proud, Jesse,” Brooke Copson said.
Meanwhile, an executive manager at Qantas – the airline Mr Davies worked for – said he will be “deeply missed” by the cabin crew team.
“Luke was a much-loved member of the Qantas cabin crew community in Brisbane and Sydney. He had a passion for travel, life, his family and friends and the customers that he served. He will be deeply missed,” ABC quoted Leeanne Langridge as saying.
The deaths prompted Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras organisers to ask officers in the New South Wales force not to march at an annual parade taking place on Saturday.
The alleged killer has been part of the parade in the past, organisers said.
But on Wednesday, the Mardi Gras board said an agreement had been reached with police in which officers will still have the opportunity to march in the parade but will do so not in uniform and in a “reduced capacity”.
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