“We are very confident that we have located Luke and Jesse.”

NSW Police have confirmed human remains have been located at a property at Bungonia, south-west of Sydney as part of ongoing investigations under Strike Force Ashfordby.

The search for Sydney couple, Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies and former Studio 10 reporter Jesse Baird, began last week.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said today, “We are very confident that we have located Luke and Jesse.”

Police said they understood the bodies were found near a “fence line, near the entrance” to a property in Bungonia.

“A driveway goes up to a property and a fence line there, and [the human remains were] off the side of the driveway, covered in, an attempt appeared to have been made to cover the bodies with rock and debris,” Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said.

Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said police had located “two surf bags” and will allege they were used to transport the bodies from a house in Paddington.

The families of Mr Baird and Mr Davies would travel down to Goulburn.

“Arrangements have been made for the family to travel down to the Goulburn area and we’ll provide that ongoing support as we need to,” Superintendent Doherty said.

A 28 year old New South Wales Senior Constable has been charged with their alleged murder. Superintendent Doherty said police would allege he was the “sole person responsible”.

Police statement:

As part of the ongoing investigations under Strike Force Ashfordby, homicide detectives attended a correctional facility about 11am today (Tuesday 27 February 2024), and spoke to a 28-year-old man.

Investigators subsequently attended a second property on Jerrara Road, Bungonia, about 1pm this afternoon.

At the property, human remains were located, and a crime scene was established, which is being forensically examined.

While the bodies are yet to be formally identified, they are believed to be that of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to confirm the cause of death.

Investigations under Strike Force Asfordby continue.

Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras have asked NSW Police not to march at this year’s Parade. Discussions between organisers and NSW Police are ongoing.

“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,” a spokesperson said.

“This decision allows space for the community to heal this year and acknowledges the profound grief and strain that we are enduring,” the spokesperson said. “This is an opportunity to pause and reflect.”

Source: ABC, SBS