Family members of slain Network 10 reporter Jesse Baird fought back tears as they said goodbye to their much-loved brother and son in front of hundreds of mourners at a colorful memorial in Melbourne.
The popular and charismatic Studio 10 presenter, 26, and his new partner, Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, were allegedly shot dead by NSW Police senior constable Beau Lamarre-Condon at Baird’s inner-city Paddington terrace in Sydney on February 19.
Their bodies were found inside surfboard bags 200km away at a rural property at Bungonia nine days later after an extensive search for the missing couple which spanned from Newcastle in the north to Goulburn in the south.
There wasn’t an empty seat inside the auditorium of Plenty Ranges Art and Convention Centre in Melbourne’s north, where hundreds gathered to celebrate Mr Baird’s life on Tuesday.
Mr Baird’s sister, Kourtnee, battled through floods of tears to farewell her brother.
‘You are the absolute light of my life. My biggest inspiration and my biggest cheerleader,’ she said.
His mother Helen paid tribute to her ‘beautiful, precious, loving, caring, generous, caring and talented boy’.
‘Our hearts and lives are changed forever and there is less sparkle in the world,’ Ms Baird said.
Attendees invited to attend were asked to wear bright colours while Melbourne-born Mr Baird’s AFL umpire colleagues were dressed in uniform in his honour.
Hundreds of mourners gathered in Melbourne on Tuesday to farewell former Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird
Attendees arrived at Plenty Ranges Art and Convention Centre in an array of bright colours
READ MORE: Cop opens up on moment she confronted alleged killer about quest to find the bodies of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies
The bodies of Jessie Baird and Luke Davies were discovered on a rural property in NSW’s Southern Highlands on February 27
A host of Channel 10 stars were among the brightly-dressed mourners seen arriving and embracing Mr Baird’s loved ones and each other before the service.
Network presenter Daniel Doody was among those who gave a eulogy for his former colleague.
‘Jesse was cheeky, funny, caring, hard-working, a heart-throb,’ Mr Doody said to laughs from the audience.
Brendan Baird, Jesse’s brother, spoke of the heartbreaking family events he will never be a part of.
‘One day my kids will know all about their uncle Jesse and it hurts me that you will not be standing there as my best man as you had already agreed to be when I married Nikki,’ he said.
The stage at the front of the packed auditorium was adorned with a balloon tribute spelling out Mr Baird’s name, along with up to a dozen photos of him at various stages of life.
Jesse’s heartbroken father said he would be ‘missed but never forgotten’.
‘This is your final show,’ he said.
After the service, the large crowd gathered outside to blow a flurry of bubbles.
Solemn mourners were seen leaving the venue clutching photos of Mr Baird.
The convention centre isn’t usually hired for funerals but was chosen by Mr Baird’s family to accommodate the huge turnout expected.
The venue is about 11km from where Mr Baird grew up in Diamond Creek, where he played AFL at senior level.
He gradated from Loyola College in Watsonia in 2015 before moving to Queensland and later Sydney for his television presenting career.
The memorial follows a community vigil in Sydney for Mr Baird and his partner on the eve of Mardi Gras earlier this month.
A service for Mr Davies will be held in his home state of Queensland in April.
Friends, family and former colleagues gave Jesse Baird an emotional-filled and colourful send-off in Melbourne
The large gathering of mourners blew bubbles in Jesse’s memory after the memorial service
The emotional service was held not far from where Jesse grew up in Melbourne’s north
The auditorium stage was adorned with colourful balloons and photos of Jesse
Jesse Baird (pictured centre with Studio 10 colleagues Tristian McManus and Angela Bishop) was allegedly murdered alongside his new partner at his Sydney home five weeks ago
Ten News recently aired a special tribute celebrating Mr Baird’s life and six-year stint with the network in various roles in first Brisbane and then Sydney.
Newsreader Sandra Sully struggled to maintain composure as she introduced the segment and called on viewers to remember Jesse as a talented, loving young man.
It’s also been revealed that Mr Baird’s flatmates have moved out of Paddington terrace where he and his new partner were allegedly murdered and left overnight under a tarpaulin in the property’s courtyard.
Homicide detectives continue to work on the investigation ahead of the upcoming court mention.
Lamarre-Condon was officially removed from the ranks of NSW Police last Friday.
He has been charged with two counts of murder and is currently behind bars in Silverwater Correctional Complex in Sydney’s west.
He will reappear in Sydney’s Downing Centre on April 23.
Detectives will allege Lamarre-Condon killed Mr Baird in a premeditated attack after a months-long campaign of predatory behaviour.
There were tears and tributes at the service attended by hundreds who knew Jesse Baird
There wasn’t an empty seat inside the packed auditorium (pictured)
Mourners departed the memorial clutching photos of the beloved TV presenter