Police today revealed two bodies have been found in the search for 26-year-old Jesse Baird and his 29-year-old boyfriend, Luke Davies, after they were allegedly killed by serving officer Beau Lamarre-Condon.
The investigation has intensified as New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb faces increasing calls to resign.
Authorities are trying to piece together moments missing in the timeline of the alleged murders. Lamarre-Condon, who faces two counts of murder, remains behind bars after being denied bail.
Here's what we know about the alleged timeline of events.
Sunday, February 18
Jesse Baird, an ex-TV presenter, and his partner, Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, are seen for the last time by friends at the Beresford Hotel at the opening party for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival.
Monday, February 19
Neighbours report hearing gunshots at Baird's Paddington home at 9.50am. A call is made to Triple Zero from Baird's phone at around 9.54am but the call disconnects before any conversation occurs. Police dispatch a patrol car to the area but lack specific details to act on. One used cartridge is later found at the scene.
Detectives believe this is when Baird and Davies were murdered by Lamerre-Condon, using a police-issued firearm. That evening, Lamarre-Condon allegedly hires a white van from Sydney Airport, which police suspect was used to move the bodies.
The van had been captured on CCTV outside Baird's house.
Tuesday, February 20
Lamarre-Condon reportedly makes "partial admissions" to an acquaintance about his alleged actions. Police say he returned the firearm allegedly used in the murders to police inventory.
Wednesday, February 21
Items belonging to Davies, including a watch, credit cards, and bloodied clothing, are discovered in a skip bin in Southern Sydney. This activates a missing persons investigation and involvement of the homicide squad.
Police uncover a "significant amount of blood" at the couple's home, consistent with a fatal incident.
Meanwhile, Lamarre-Condon is believed to have driven to Bungonia in the white van with a female friend. Police say this friend is not being treated as a suspect and is assisting with investigations. She tells police she knew nothing about what Lamarre-Condon was up to.
The police allege Lamarre-Condon used an angle grinder and a new padlock purchased en-route to break into a private Southern Tableland property, known to him from previous encounters.
Police say the senior constable’s friend was left at the property gate while he went inside for 30 minutes, before returning.
Thursday, February 22
Despite gaps in the timeline, police suspect Lamarre-Condon left Bungonia at 4.30am. He is alleged to have travelled to Newcastle, where police say he asked another acquaintance, a former police officer, for a hose to clean the van, without disclosing any criminal activities.
The disappearance of the Sydney couple becomes public knowledge, prompting a police appeal for information.
That night, Lamarre-Condon is suspected of returning to Bungonia, potentially moving the bodies again.
Friday, February 23
Lamarre-Condon surrenders to police at Bondi station in the morning and is processed and charged with two counts of murder at Waverley Police Station. The white van, believed to have been used to transport the bodies, is located in Grays Point.
Saturday, February 24
Police begin their search for Baird and Davies' bodies and call for public assistance.
Tributes pour in for the couple at their Paddington residence.
Sunday, February 25
The police dive squad is dispatched to search two dams on a private property in Bungonia.
Webb issues a a written apology to families affected by historic gay hate crimes, unrelated to the current case. The report from a Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTTQIA+ hate crimes in NSW made 19 recommendations, including fresh inquests into the deaths of several men. The force is yet to formally accept any of these.
Webb later issues a statement calling on the community to "have patience" as police continue their investigations into the alleged murders of Baird and Davies. She said she has been left "saddened" and "shocked" by the deaths.
Monday, February 26
The search continues in Bungonia. Police say Lamarre-Condon is not cooperating.
Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson and Commissioner Webb defend police involvement in the upcoming Mardi Gras Parade despite criticism.
Webb said the alleged double murder of Baird and Davies was not "gay hate-related" but "a crime of passion, we will allege… It is domestic related, we allege". Her comments draw anger from domestic violence advocates who say it is inappropriate for the alleged actions of Lamarre-Condon to be justified by "love".
Hudson responds to claims that Lamarre-Condon had previously entered his ex-partner Baird's home after they broke up at the end of 2023. The senior constable allegedly accessed the house and took Baird's phone, deleting contacts and messages. It is revealed Baird had reportedly told friends he'd seen a dark figure standing in his house but that person had escaped before he was able to identify him but police say no report was made.
Police abandon their search of the property in Bungonia late afternoon.
The board of the Sydney Mardi Gras festival decide to "uninvite" police from marching in the parade on Saturday, March 2, as it "could intensify the current feelings of sorrow and distress" in the LGBTTQIA+ community grieving over the deaths.
Tuesday, February 27
The search for Baird and Davies' bodies shifts to a detailed search of a 40ha property in Bungonia. A small boat is seized for forensic examination, and the search extends to Grays Point, where the white van was allegedly abandoned.
Webb faces more backlash but reasserts her commitment to her duties. In on-air interviews with 9News and 7News, she said, "There will always be haters, haters like to hate isn't that what Taylor [Swift] says."
The commissioner is reportedly meeting with the Sydney Mardi Gras board as the search continues for the bodies.
In the morning, detectives speak to Lamarre-Condon, who has now obtained legal counsel, at Silverwater Jail. The accused helps police locate the remains.
At around 1pm, homicide squad detectives travel to a location 20 minutes from the original location in Bungonia, where they find two surf bags allegedly containing the couple's bodies, along with other items of interest.
Several minutes later, the site is declared a crime scene, and the families are notified of the discovery. Arrangements are made for the families to travel to the area where the remains are believed to have been found.
At 5.30pm, Webb calls for a press conference, where reporters are told the suspected remains of Baird and Davies have been found.
The crime scene investigation is expected to take some time, Webb says.
A post mortem will be carried out as part of the investigation.
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