The NSW police commissioner says officers are working around the clock to find the bodies of a young couple believed murdered in Sydney's east as divers scour a waterway on the state's north coast.
Beaumont Lamarre-Condon presented himself to police on Friday and was later charged with two counts of murder, following the disappearance of former Ten reporter Jesse Baird, 26, and Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, 29.
Lamarre-Condon did not make a bail application at Waverley Local Court and his matter was next set down for 23 April in Downing Centre Local Court.
Floral tributes at the residence of Jesse Baird in Sydney. Source: AAP / DAN HIMBRECHTS/AAPIMAGE
On Saturday, mourners laid floral tributes outside the Paddington terrace where police allege the murders took place.
NSW Police working 'round the clock' on the case
Commissioner Karen Webb said she understood there were still many unanswered questions, but asked the community for their patience as police work to determine what happened.
"I can reassure Luke and Jesse's loved ones, and the people of NSW, that we are working around the clock to find those answers," she said in a statement on Sunday.
Webb extended her "heartfelt condolences" to the families and friends of the missing men. "It is difficult to comprehend the grief and pain of their loss," she said.
"I acknowledge this week's events are distressing for many and I share the sadness and shock about the alleged nature of Luke and Jesse's deaths."
'Brightest of futures stolen from him'
Meanwhile tributes to Baird and Davies have flowed online. Austin Baird paid tribute to his cousin on Instagram and said the two were best friends.
Network Ten presenter Hugh Riminton was one of those who worked with Baird.
"RIP my beloved young colleague, Jesse," he wrote on social media platform X.
"Condolences also to the family and friends of Luke Davies. Many tears tonight."
Ten reporter Lachlan Kennedy recounted his time with Baird.
"His talent was undeniable and energy infectious. Jesse Baird has had the brightest of futures stolen from him," he wrote on X.
Kennedy included a link to American country music performer Cody Johnson's song, Til You Can't.
Ten presenter Narelda Jacobs posted a clip to Instagram of her on-air announcement of the likely killing of her "beautiful" colleague.
Indigenous and LGBTIQ+ activist Tarneen Onus Browne shared their heartbreak in a social media post.
"I’m so heartbroken this beautiful couple has been so violently taken from our community," they wrote on Instagram.
Earlier, the AFL put out a statement expressing its sadness at the news regarding Baird, who was recently acting as an umpire for AFL and VFL games, and his partner Davies.
The statement describes Baird as "a popular and respected member of our AFL umpiring family" whose career spanned 62 AFL matches, including two finals.
There were fears for Baird and Davies after their possessions were found in a skip bin in the southern Sydney suburb of Cronulla on Wednesday.
Lamarre-Condon had previously dated Baird.
Neighbours heard shouting at Baird's Paddington home on Monday before a large amount of blood was found at the property on Wednesday. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrechts
Police said investigators found a discharged gunshot round at the home and that it had been matched to a NSW Police firearm.
CCTV footage captured from a neighbouring property showed a white van outside Mr Baird's house shortly before the couple disappeared.
The van, a Toyota HiAce, was hired in Mascot on Monday night and police believe it was used to move the bodies of the two men to an unknown location after they were killed at the Paddington house.
Lamarre-Condon, who up until days ago had an active social media presence, joined the police force in 2019.
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