Baird worked as a presenter and reporter on various Network 10 programs. In early 2017, he joined the cast of children's television series Totally Wild, remaining as a presenter alongside Stacey Thomson, until the show's final episode on 27 June 2021.[6][14] In 2019, Baird was announced as the host of Gamify, a game show which aired on 10 Peach.[7][15] He was also a red carpet reporter on Studio 10, until the program was cancelled in December 2023.[8]
Baird won the Brian Pratt Medallion for most promising AFL umpire in 2020 and 2021.[1] His fiftieth game came in round six of the 2023 season.[17] He officiated 62 matches as an AFL umpire, including two finals.[9]
Baird and his partner Luke Davies, aged 29, were last seen on the evening of 18 February 2024.[18][19] Baird was scheduled to umpire an AFL pre-season practice match between Sydney and Greater Western Sydney on 20 February. However, he did not arrive.[9]
On 21 February, bloodied clothes, a phone, credit cards, keys, and an $8,000 watch belonging to Davies were found in a skip bininCronulla.[20][21] Police subsequently attended Baird's home in Paddington where they found upended furniture, a large quantity of blood, and a projectile and casing that allegedly matched a police firearm.[22]
Police alleged Baird and Davies were killed on the morning of 19 February. Shouting and gunshots were heard from the residence, and a 000 emergency phone call was made on Davies' phone, in which the operator heard a man shouting "get out, get out" before the call was disconnected. A police car was dispatched but drove down the street without stopping at Baird's house.[23] Lamarre purchased two surfboard bags, the same type in which the victims' bodies were later found; one on 17 February two days before the killings and one on the afternoon of 19 February.[24] He rented a white Toyota HiAce van from Mascot at 9:30 pm on 19 February.[20] It was seen in Lambton on 22 February before being abandoned in Grays Point.[21] Police alleged that the van was used to transport the bodies of Baird and Davies.[21][25]
On 23 February, New South Wales police officer Senior Constable Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, aged 28 and known as Beau Lamarre,[26] handed himself in to Bondi Police Station and was charged with two counts of murder.[27] Investigators allege Lamarre's crimes followed months of "predatory behaviour” towards Baird,[28] with whom witnesses report Lamarre had falsely claimed to be in a relationship.[29] Lamarre-Condon was remanded in custody to appear in court in late April.[30]
On 27 February, Baird and Davies' bodies were found on a property in Bungonia, New South Wales, near Goulburn, following information from the accused.[31][32]
^ ab"Brian Pratt Medallion". AFL Umpires Association. 30 October 2015. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
^ ab"Jesse Baird Obituary". Australian Football League Umpires Association. 7 March 2024. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
^Grubb, Ben; Cubby, Ben; Hornery, Andrew; Koziol, Michael (23 February 2024). "Luke and Jesse: Happy young men loving life". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
^Knox, David (21 February 2019). "Airdate: Gamify!". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 24 February 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
^ abc"Baird named for AFL debut". Northern Football Netball League. 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
