The AFL's whistle-blowing community is mourning the death of former league goal umpire Jesse Baird after a New South Welsh Police officer confessed to murdering the 26-year-old and his partner, Luke Davies.
New South Wales police stated on Thursday that they held "grave concerns" for Baird and his partner Luke Davies after both were reported missing.
According to reports from News Corp,ย investigators were said to have found a large amount of blood at Baird and Davies' Paddington apartment while also locating bloodied clothing in a nearby skip.
Baird had been scheduled to act as one of two goal umpires during the Swans' and Giants' opening pre-season scratch match at Tramway Oval in Moore Park, just a short walk from Paddington.
The league was notified of the wider case after Baird failed to arrive before the 10am bounce.
โThe AFL confirms that NSW Police has informed us that Sydney-based AFL goal umpire Jesse Baird is missing along with his partner and that there is a current police investigation,โ league spokesperson Jay Allen was quoted by News Corp.
โJesse was rostered to goal umpire the Sydney Swans v GWS Giants match simulation at Tramways Oval at Moore Park this morning but did not turn up for the game and has not been in touch with colleagues.
โThe AFL has contacted his family and offered support and has also offered counselling to Jesse's colleagues and the wider AFL football department who were told the distressing news this afternoon.
โAs there is an ongoing police investigation, we are not in a position to comment further but urge anyone with any information to please contact NSW Police.โ
Subsequent reports fromย The Ageย on Friday state that Beau Lamarre, a member of the NSW Police force and Baird's former partner, had handed himself into Bondi Police on Friday morning before being taken into custody.
Homicide squad detective superintendent Daniel Doherty stated that Lamarre's police-issued firearm had been discharged at Baird's Paddington home before being checked back in at Lamarre's station.
Lamarre remains in custody.
