Key Takeaways
- Coleen Lamarre, mother of former NSW Police officer Beau Lamarre‑Condon, has been charged with intending to pervert the course of justice for allegedly trying to influence a key witness in the double‑murder case of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
- She was arrested in Balmain, Sydney’s inner west, at approximately 11:15 am and taken to Day Street Police Station; bail has been refused and she is due to appear in court on Thursday.
- Beau Lamarre‑Condon, a former police officer, pleaded not guilty to the murders of Baird (a former television presenter) and Davies (a Qantas flight attendant), who were allegedly shot with a police‑issued handgun in Baird’s Paddington home in early 2024.
- The victims’ bodies were discovered days later in surf bags at Bungonia, about 200 km south of Sydney.
- Lamarre‑Condon was arrested in February 2024 after attending a Bondi police station, was removed from the NSW Police Force a month later, and the matter has been committed for trial in the NSW Supreme Court, delayed by changes in legal representation and a required forensic psychiatry report.
- Coleen Lamarre has been observed in the public gallery during her son’s court appearances, indicating her ongoing involvement in the proceedings.
Background of the Alleged Double Murder
The case centres on the deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, two individuals whose lives intersected briefly with former NSW Police officer Beau Lamarre‑Condon. Baird, who had worked as a television presenter, and Davies, a flight attendant for Qantas, were allegedly killed in early 2024. Police allege that the shootings occurred inside Baird’s Paddington residence using a police‑issued handgun, a detail that underscores the alleged misuse of law‑enforcement equipment. The victims’ bodies were not found at the scene; instead, they were discovered several days later inside surf bags dumped in a remote area near Bungonia, roughly 200 kilometres south of Sydney. This method of concealment attracted significant media attention and prompted a thorough homicide investigation.
Arrest and Charges Against Beau Lamarre‑Condon
On Monday, 19 February 2024, Senior Constable Beau Lamarre‑Condon was formally charged with the murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. He entered a plea of not guilty, setting the stage for a contested trial. Following his arrest, Lamarre‑Condon was taken into custody after attending a police station in Bondi, an action that raised questions about his conduct while still affiliated with the force. A month after the charges were laid, the NSW Police Force officially removed him from its ranks, signalling a clear institutional disassociation from the accused officer. The removal came amid growing public scrutiny and internal reviews concerning the alleged involvement of a serving officer in a serious criminal act.
Legal Proceedings and Delays
After the initial charges, the matter was committed for trial in the NSW Supreme Court. However, the case has experienced multiple adjournments. A primary cause of delay has been the continual change in legal representation by Lamarre‑Condon’s defence team, which required the court to re‑schedule hearings to accommodate new counsel. Additionally, the court ordered a forensic psychiatric assessment of the accused to evaluate his mental state at the time of the alleged offences. The preparation and review of this report necessitated further postponements, ensuring that both prosecution and defence have adequate time to consider its implications before proceeding to trial.
Charge Against Coleen Lamarre
In a related development, homicide detectives charged 63‑year‑old Coleen Lamarre, the mother of Beau Lamarre‑Condon, with intending to pervert the course of justice. The allegation centres on her purported attempt to influence a key witness to alter their testimony in the high‑profile double‑murder trial. Police claim that her actions were deliberate and aimed at obstructing the course of justice, a serious offence under NSW law. The charge was laid on a Wednesday, following an investigation into her interactions with the witness.
Arrest Details and Bail Decision
Coleen Lamarre was apprehended in Balmain, a suburb located in Sydney’s inner west, at approximately 11:15 am. Officers escorted her to Day Street Police Station for processing. Given the gravity of the alleged offence and concerns about potential further interference with the judicial process, authorities refused her bail. Consequently, she remains in custody pending her court appearance, which is scheduled for Thursday. The refusal of bail underscores the court’s view that releasing her could pose a risk to the integrity of the ongoing trial.
Coleen Lamarre’s Presence in Court
Throughout the proceedings involving her son, Coleen Lamarre has been observed seated in the public gallery during various court appearances. Her consistent presence has drawn attention from journalists and members of the public, highlighting the familial dimension of the case. While her attendance at hearings is lawful, the recent charge suggests that authorities believe her actions extended beyond passive observation to active interference with evidentiary matters.
Victims’ Profiles and Public Impact
Jesse Baird’s background as a former television presenter brought a degree of public recognition to the case, while Luke Davies’ employment with Qantas as a flight attendant connected the tragedy to the aviation sector. The couple’s deaths resonated widely, prompting expressions of grief from colleagues, friends, and the broader community. The alleged use of a police‑issued handgun intensified public debate about police accountability and the safeguarding of service weapons. The discovery of the bodies in surf bags added a macabre element that fueled speculation and heightened media coverage, placing additional pressure on investigators to resolve the case swiftly.
Implications for the Justice System
The simultaneous prosecution of both Beau Lamarre‑Condon for murder and his mother for attempting to pervert the course of justice illustrates the multifaceted nature of serious criminal investigations. It demonstrates how law‑enforcement agencies pursue not only the principal offenders but also individuals who may seek to obstruct judicial processes. The case also highlights procedural safeguards—such as psychiatric evaluations and strict bail considerations—that aim to ensure fair trials while protecting public safety. As the matter progresses through the NSW Supreme Court, its outcome will likely influence perceptions of how the justice system handles cases involving police personnel and alleged witness tampering.
Conclusion
The unfolding legal drama surrounding the deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies encompasses allegations of murder, witness intimidation, and familial involvement. Beau Lamarre‑Condon’s not‑guilty plea sets the stage for a contested trial marked by delays due to defence representation changes and a required forensic psychiatry assessment. Simultaneously, Coleen Lamarre’s charge for attempting to pervert the course of justice adds a layer of complexity, illustrating the lengths to which parties may go to influence judicial outcomes. The refusal of her bail and her scheduled court appearance underscore the seriousness with which authorities treat such allegations. As the proceedings continue, the case will remain a focal point for discussions about police conduct, witness protection, and the integrity of the NSW justice system.