Baird and Davies disappeared last week, and today NSW Police said they are “confident” that human remains found on a property at Bungonia belong to the Sydney couple.
NSW Police Senior Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon has been charged with their alleged murders.
Following today’s discovery, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, AFL umpire and close friend Brett Rosebury, AFL goal umpire Steve Piperno and AFL national goal umpire coach David Dixon released a joint statement.
Baird, 26, was an AFL umpire and in 2023 had moved to Sydney for work and to continue his umpiring career.
“Jesse will be fondly remembered for his vibrant, fun-loving personality, his professionalism and his commitment to the next generation of young umpires through his mentorship of State League umpires, most importantly he will be remembered for the great, caring person that he was,” Dillon said.
“The entire AFL family extend our deepest sympathies to both Jesse and Luke’s families as well as our umpiring and broader team during this very difficult time.”
Dillon added that support and counselling is being offered to Baird’s umpiring colleagues and the wider AFL football department.
During his umpiring career, which spanned 62 AFL matches, including two finals, the 26-year-old Baird was known for his positivity, Rosebury said.
“Jesse was more than a colleague, he was a loved friend who I cherished. I loved umpiring with him and being around him. As a young goal umpire he always provided great positivity to the team in the changerooms and he was very talented on and off the field.”
Piperno said: “Jesse leaves behind a profound void that words struggle to capture.
“Anyone who knew Jesse was impacted by his incredible energy and spirit for life. We were blessed to have him as part of our umpiring family.”
Dixon said Baird had the ability to “put a smile on everybody’s face” and ”make you feel like the most important person in every interaction”.
Earlier today NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed that two bodies found on a rural property were believed to be that of Baird and Davies.
Lamarre-Condon provided information about the bodies’ location to detectives at Silverwater Jail at 11am after he obtained legal counsel, police said.
Human remains linked to the investigation were then found at a property in Bungonia at 1pm, about 20 minutes away from where police had previously established a crime scene.
Police said two surf bags containing human remains were located along the fence line of the property.
They also said other objects relevant to the investigation were found during the discovery.
