Bodies of Australian Couple Found After Police Officer Charged With Murder

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Facts

  • The remains of a couple from Sydney were discovered in surf bags days after a police officer was charged with their murders, Australian police said on Tuesday.1
  • Days after their disappearance, police constable Beaumont Lamarre-Condon turned himself in at a Sydney police station on Friday and appeared in court later that day in connection with the crimes.2
  • However, police initially said that Lamarre-Condon did not assist them with locating the bodies of Jesse Baird — his former boyfriend — and Baird's new partner, Luke Davies.3
  • In Tuesday's announcement, police said they made the discovery in the town of Bungonia, roughly 100 miles (160 km) southwest of Sydney, with the help of the accused. After obtaining a lawyer, Tuesday was the first time the defendant provided the police with information 'willingly,' police Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said.4
  • Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said that the two surf bags containing the remains were discovered near the fence line of the property in Bungonia.1
  • He added that police believe the bags were used to transport the bodies to the property from Paddington in Sydney — where the murders are thought to have taken place — further stating that they had been covered in rocks and debris in an attempt to hide them.1

Sources: 1ABC Australia, 2NBC, 3The Guardian (a) and 4The Guardian (b).

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by ABC Australia. This is a hugely important day for the investigation as well as for the families of the two victims, who are now able to get some closure on what took place. While work to fully piece together this picture is still ongoing, police must be commended for their efforts in reaching this point.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by The Guardian. These murders are said to have taken place after the police officer in question, who does not carry guns as part of his everyday role, allegedly took home a police-issued gun for work on a private event. There must be a full inquiry into how something like this could be allowed to happen, and efforts must be made to prevent it from ever happening again.