Coleen Lamarre, the mother of former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon, has been charged with perverting the course of justice after allegedly attempting to influence a key witness in her son's double murder trial. The 63-year-old was arrested in Balmain and refused bail, facing a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
Alleged Witness Tampering
New South Wales police confirmed that Coleen Lamarre, a former employee of the NSW police force, was charged on Thursday. She is accused of trying to persuade a witness to change their evidence in the trial of her son, who is charged with the murders of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird. The case is set to go to trial in September, with proceedings expected to last two to three months.
Background of the Case
Beau Lamarre-Condon, 28, was charged with double murder in February 2024 after the bodies of Jesse Baird, 26, a former TV presenter, and Luke Davies, 29, a Qantas flight attendant, were discovered. The couple was found inside surfboard bags at a rural property in Bungonia, near Goulburn, about 200km south-west of Sydney. Lamarre-Condon, who had a prior casual relationship with Baird, is alleged to have shot them with his police pistol at Baird's inner-city home before attempting to dispose of the bodies.
Legal Representation Changes
In November 2024, Lamarre-Condon's high-profile defence lawyer, John Walford, was replaced by Legal Aid representation. Legal Aid later withdrew, and his current solicitor is Ben Archbold. The accused was sacked from the NSW police force shortly after the alleged murders. He had joined the force in 2019 and previously ran a celebrity blog, posing with stars like Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, and Harry Styles.
Impact on Mardi Gras and Police Response
The alleged murders, occurring in the lead-up to Mardi Gras, prompted the Mardi Gras board to request that police not march in the parade. Police ultimately participated but in plainclothes. Former police commissioner Karen Webb faced criticism for describing the case as a "crime of passion," later apologizing and clarifying that her remarks were meant to distinguish it from a gay hate crime.
Court Proceedings
Coleen Lamarre is scheduled to appear before the bail division court on Thursday. Her son remains in custody as the legal process continues. The case has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of a former police officer and the high-profile nature of the victims.
