Texts Sent From Murder Victim's Phone After Alleged Killing Raise Questions

Housemates of Jesse Baird received text messages from his phone the day after he was allegedly murdered, implying he was still alive and planning to move out of their shared rental property. The exchange, submitted to the NSW Supreme Court, occurred between February 10 and February 21, 2024, between Baird and his former housemates, identified as Belinda Smith and Sarah King.

Baird had been asked by his housemates to vacate their Paddington residence by February 20 due to cleanliness issues. However, he never moved out as he and his boyfriend, Luke Davies, were allegedly murdered in the home on the morning of February 19 by Beau Lamarre-Condon.

Lamarre-Condon, 31, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one count of aggravated break and enter. He is also accused of breaking into Baird's home in August 2023 and stealing his phone and wallet.

The text messages created a false impression of Baird's whereabouts for his housemates. On February 20, the day Baird was supposed to move out and the day after his alleged murder, his housemates received a text from his number stating he had hired someone to collect his belongings and was planning a road trip to Perth.

In the messages, Baird confirmed his move-out date on February 10 and inquired on February 16 about selling his washing machine. By February 20, Ms. Smith and Ms. King were confused as Baird's final rent payment was ending, a new housemate was set to move in, and a bond clean was scheduled for the following day. They told Baird they needed his room cleared that night and offered for him to leave his bed in the garage.

Later that day, another text from Baird's phone stated he would not be able to dismantle his bed and asked if the new housemate's removalist could move it to the front of the property. The text concluded with an apology for causing inconvenience. At the time this last message was sent, Baird had allegedly been deceased for over 24 hours.