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Miklos Bolza

Host's 'resignation' texted day after alleged murder

Slain TV host Jesse Baird was shot 'execution-style' due to a jealous obsession, a jury heard. (HANDOUT/SURPEME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES)

TV presenter Jesse Baird's resignation was texted to his new boss the day after he was allegedly murdered.

Former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon, 31, has pleaded not guilty to murdering ex-partner Mr Baird and Luke Davies in their inner-city terrace on February 19, 2024.

He then led officers to a rural property where the bodies of both men, who were aged in their 20s, were found in surfboard bags.

Mr Baird had been hired by television firm Breakout Productions to film a shark documentary in Sydney, starting on February 19.

Jesse Baird and Luke Davies
Luke Davies was allegedly shot to eliminate him as a witness to Jesse Baird’s murder, a court hears (HANDOUT/SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES)

"I thought he was amazing," company co-owner Lana Thrupp wrote in a police statement read out during the NSW Supreme Court murder trial on Tuesday.

“I knew after speaking with him I wanted to hire him."

An excited Mr Baird thanked her for the opportunity, she wrote.

However, Ms Thrupp began to worry when he then failed to answer his emails or answer her calls, the jury heard.

Late at night on February 20 - a day after Mr Baird was killed - she received a text message from his mobile number.

"Hey Lana sorry to do this for you but after a lot of thought I thought it would be best to resign effective immediately," the message wrote.

"I hope you understand thanks."

Lamarre-Condon and Mr Baird broke up in November 2023 with prosecutors alleging the then cop wanted an exclusive relationship.

The television producer did not want the same thing, the jury has previously heard.

Lamarre-Condon allegedly killed Mr Baird "execution-style" at close range through a plan borne of a jealous obsession, before shooting Mr Davies to eliminate a witness.

The 31-year-old claims he killed the men in self-defence after entering their terrace disguised as an Uber driver to retrieve his belongings.

His offer to plead guilty to Mr Baird's manslaughter was rejected by prosecutors.

The trial continues.

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