The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras board has disinvited New South Wales (NSW) Police from a major pride festival after a senior constable allegedly murdered two men.
Senior Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon, 28, has been charged with the murders of Ten television presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and flight attendant Luke Davies, 29.
The Mardi Gras board said the community needed space to grieve the loss of the two men, who would have been marching in the parade.
The Sydney Mardi Gras Parade, its annual LGBT pride festival will involve 12,000 marchers on 200 floats, with about 250,000 spectators on Oxford Street.
The Mardi Gras board revealed in recent days many people had voiced concerns about feeling uneasy at the parade in the presence of police.
“Our community needs space to grieve the loss of Jesse and Luke who, before this tragedy, would have been here celebrating with us at the Festival.
Senior Constable Charged With Murder
Mr. Lamarre-Condon was charged with two counts of murder after handing himself into a Sydney police station on Feb. 23.Police found a bullet that matched Mr. Lamarre-Condon’s work pistol inside a Paddington home where Mr. Davies and Mr. Baird were residing on Feb. 19.
Police will allege in court Mr. Lamarre-Condon rented a white van and took the bodies to a rural property in Bungonia, southwest of Sydney.
NSW police deputy commissioner, David Hudson, told reporters “It’s our number one priority to try and locate Jesse and Luke to give the families some solace.”
Sydney Mardi Gras said they, along with the LGBT community were devastated.
They noted the NSW Police officer charged with his murder had taken part in the Mardi Gras Parade previously.
“NSW Police have been notified, and while disappointed, understand the board’s decision and the Board are meeting with the Police to discuss further,” they said.
“This decision was not made lightly, especially considering that many NSW Police members who participate in the Parade are also members of the LGBTQIA+ community and are navigating the impact of this tragedy alongside us. However, we believe that their participation at this year’s event could intensify the current feelings of sorrow and distress.
In response, a NSW Police spokesperson said they were disappointed with the decision but would continue to work with organisers.
Police Commissioner Extends Support To Families
NSW Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb has spoken to the families of Mr. Davies and Mr. Baird and expressed her condolences on Feb. 25.“I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird. It is difficult to comprehend the grief and pain of their loss,” Ms. Webb 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.
The commissioner asked the community to have patience as police continued to investigate what happened.“I understand there are many unanswered questions and while I cannot comment on the matter before the courts, 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,” Ms. Webb said.
“As our investigation continues, I would ask anyone who has information that could assist, to please come forward and contact us.”
