Placeholder Content Image

Police officer arrested amid search for missing men

<p>A police officer has turned himself in over the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/police-officer-sought-in-connection-to-disappearance-of-two-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspicious disappearance</a> of two men. </p> <p>Former Network Ten presenter 26-year-old Jesse Baird and his boyfriend 29-year-old Luke Davies were last seen on Monday, with police launching an extensive investigation into their disappearance. </p> <p>On Thursday, officers called for Constable Beau Lamarre to come forward as part of the investigation, believing he could hold valuable information. </p> <p>Now, on Friday morning, the celebrity blogger turned police officer presented at Bondi Police Station where he was arrested. </p> <p>The man was then taken to Waverley Police Station where he is assisting with inquiries, police said.</p> <p>During a press conference on Friday afternoon, a lead investigator confirmed the young officer has been charged with two counts of murder, while adding the families of the young men have been told the investigation is being treated as a homicide. </p> <p>Lamarre is an ex-partner of Baird and was a former celebrity blogger before joining NSW Police in 2020.</p> <p><span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;">Online the 28-year-old would often go by the pseudonym Beau London, creating accounts on social media and a celebrity blog page titled That's The Tea, where he posted selfies alongside celebrities such as </span><span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift.</span></p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">An investigation began into Baird and Davies' disappearance after number of their personal items, including a watch, clothes, credit cards and keys were found by a worker in Club Cronulla, with blood stains present on the items. </p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Police have also searched two homes during their investigation - one in Balmain and one in Paddington - with officers "immediately" establishing a crime scene at the Paddington home after finding blood spatters. </p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">According to officers, a “significant” amount of blood consistent with a fatality and signs of a struggle were discovered inside Mr Baird’s Paddington home on Thursday afternoon. </p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><em>Image credits: 9News / Instagram </em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

More details revealed by father of Queensland cop killers

<p dir="ltr">The father of the two men who shot at two Queensland police officers has opened up about his son’s gun obsession and how they turned away from religion which eventually led to the horrific murder of the officers.</p> <p dir="ltr">Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, were fatally shot at a property in Wieambilla, three hours outside of Brisbane as they carried out a missing persons call.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nathaniel and Gareth Train were identified as the two brothers who killed the officers, with their father Ron Train revealing how the pair turned to the dark side.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’d describe them as two boys who lost their way in life,” he told <em>A Current Affair</em>, refusing to say they are monsters.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Train explained that he raised his sons with Christian beliefs but they turned away from religion before becoming estranged from their parents when they were in their 20s.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They went down this track, this dark track, which we have no understanding of.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He explained that the pair soon became obsessed with guns and that it was Gareth who showed more interest in the activity and was more controlling.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He was very difficult to control, very overpowering.”</p> <p dir="ltr">But in a surprising turn of events, Mr Train believes that Nathaniel’s marriage to Stacey Train, the third shooter, was up in the air after Gareth married her.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I just think in the end that he took over that relationship that Nathaniel and Stacey had,” Mr Train continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nathaniel and Stacey’s two children however were also estranged from the family.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Train said he broke down in tears after hearing what his sons had done saying he couldn’t take responsibility for their actions or defend them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I cried out to God, because, you know, I’m a believer. I just could not understand,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Those decisions were made as adults. I can’t accept responsibility for something in an adult mind.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s no excuse for that. No excuses for their behaviour, and I don’t excuse my boys of their actions at all.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They’ll stand before God in this world. They can’t be brought to justice in the secular world, but they will before God.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow were at a property in the western Darling Downs, about three hours west of Brisbane when they were shot on December 12.</p> <p dir="ltr">One of the neighbours, Alan Dare, 58, was also shot and killed in the attack.</p> <p dir="ltr">Constable Arnold and Constable McCrow were joined by two other officers, Constable Keeley Brough and Constable Randall Kirk, both aged 28, at the property.</p> <p dir="ltr">A six-hour siege ensued, with the officers opening fire about 4.45 pm which saw Constable Arnold and Constable McCrow killed.</p> <p dir="ltr">Constable Kirk was also wounded while Constable Brough, who was only eight weeks into her new role, managed to escape and raise the alarm.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair were finally joined by Special Operations police and helped them shoot dead three suspects, including brothers Nathaniel and Gareth Train, and Stacey Train, after a six hour siege.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Nine News</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Cop sent farewell texts to loved ones during shootout

<p dir="ltr">One of the police officers that survived the shootout which killed two of her colleagues has shared her final texts she sent to loved ones in the event she didn’t make it. </p> <p dir="ltr">Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, were fatally shot at a property in Wieambilla, three hours outside of Brisbane as they carried out a missing persons call.</p> <p dir="ltr">Constable Keeley Brough and Constable Randall Kirk, both aged 28, were also at the property with Constable Kirk suffering a gunshot wound.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nathaniel and Gareth Train were identified as the two brothers who killed the officers, with Stacey Train identified as the third shooter.</p> <p dir="ltr">Constable Brough thought these would be her final moments and that she would either be shot at or burned alive. So she sent farewell texts to her loved ones. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Constable Brough grabbed her phone to seek assistance for her colleagues," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament House. </p> <p dir="ltr">"And then, she texted her loved ones, what she imagined would be her final goodbyes.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Even then, surrounded by danger and death, her first thought was for her fellow officers."</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Albanese said it was a “miracle” that Constable Brough survived the terrifying ordeal. </p> <p dir="ltr">"[Constable Brough] did not know whether she was going to be shot, or she was going to burnt alive," Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers told the ABC on Tuesday.</p> <p dir="ltr">"'I do know she was sending messages to loved ones saying she almost thought it was her time. What was going through her mind, one cannot comprehend.</p> <p dir="ltr">"She was in contact with her other colleagues trying to assure them we could get support to go and assist their fallen colleagues at that point in time."</p> <p dir="ltr">Constable McCrow and Constable Arnold will be farewelled at a funeral service at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre at 10am on December 21. </p> <p dir="ltr">Details on how the public can offer their condolences will be available in the next few days. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

"With Honour They Served": Outpouring of emotion after shooting victims identified

<p dir="ltr">The two police officers who were executed at a Queensland rural property have been identified.</p> <p dir="ltr">Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow were at a property in the western Darling Downs, about three hours west of Brisbane when they were shot on December 12.</p> <p dir="ltr">One of the neighbours, Alan Dare, 58, was also shot and killed in the attack which led to a manhunt for the alleged attackers.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police services around the country offered their condolences to the families of Constable Arnold and Constable McCrow after their heroic actions.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It is with a heavy heart we confirm the deaths of Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow,” Queensland Police wrote on Facebook.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Their lives were cut tragically short in the line of duty at Wieambilla yesterday.</p> <p dir="ltr">“With Honour They Served.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Police were at the rural property in response to a missing person, who was later identified as former school principal Nathaniel Train.</p> <p dir="ltr">There were grave concerns for Mr Train who disappeared from Dubbo in the NSW Central West in early December.</p> <p dir="ltr">Constable Arnold and Constable McCrow were joined by two other officers, Constable Keeley Brough and Constable Randall Kirk, both aged 28, at the property.</p> <p dir="ltr">A six-hour siege ensued, with the officers opening fire about 4.45 pm which saw Constable Arnold and Constable McCrow killed.</p> <p dir="ltr">Constable Kirk was also wounded while Constable Brough, who was only eight weeks into her new role, managed to escape and raise the alarm.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair were finally joined by Special Operations police and helped them shoot dead three suspects, including brothers Nathaniel and Gareth Train, and a third female, after a six hour siege.</p> <p dir="ltr">Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll was heartbroken at describing what had happened, following the death of her colleagues.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This has been incredibly distressing and tragic for everyone, particularly family, officers involved, colleagues, the organisation and the community,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As you would appreciate. It is an extremely emotional and challenging time for the Queensland Police Service. Losing one of our own has a profound impact on every single officer and their families. To lose two officers in one incident is absolutely devastating.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This event is the largest loss of police life we have suffered in a single incident in many years.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I want to pay tribute to the two other officers who attended....they bravely did what they could to save their colleagues in the most horrendous circumstances. Their bravery was beyond belief.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you also to the specialist police and other first stand-of-responders who were involved in the dangerous confrontation for many hours last night. Matthew and Rachel were highly respected and much loved members of the Queensland Police Service.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They were both committed and courageous young people who had a passion for policing and for serving their community.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Both are under 30 years of age. Both had wonderful careers and lives ahead of them.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also offered his condolences to the fallen officers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Terrible scenes in Wieambilla and a heartbreaking day for the families and friends of the Queensland Police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty,” he wrote on Twitter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My condolences to all who are grieving tonight – Australia mourns with you.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

“Suicide by cop”: Victorian police officer defends hitting disabled pensioner

<p>A Victorian Police officer said that he genuinely felt he was facing a “suicide by cop” scenario when he repeatedly hit a disabled pensioner with a baton and stood on his head during a welfare check.</p> <p>Pensioner John was also pepper sprayed during the ordeal with six police officers and the welfare check was ordered after he failed to return messages from a counsellor and withdrew from opioid medication.</p> <p>Senior Constable John Edney is one of three officers who are fighting assault charges over the September 2017 incident.</p> <p>"I did believe it was a real suicide by cop scenario," he told a contested hearing at Heidelberg Magistrates Court, according to<span> </span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victorian-police-officer-defends-hitting-disabled-pensioner-with-baton/a4596c15-6e83-4e8d-86a3-9319dbae5a29" target="_blank">9news</a>.</p> <p>Edney also said that he believed that John was armed and posed a threat to police officers.</p> <p>Video footage played to the court showed John answering a knock from Edney at his front door and said he wanted to be alone.</p> <p>"I don't want to f------ talk," he screams.</p> <p>"Get off my f------ property.</p> <p>"If you get the crowbar, you'll have to shoot me,” John continued.</p> <p>"I've been maced before and nothing happened."</p> <p>Edney said that his fear increased after that interaction and believed that John had weapons inside his house.</p> <p>"Part of the reason of going into his house was to check for weapons," he told prosecutor Diana Manova.</p> <p>"I did believe he was armed."</p> <p>The officers then pulled the pensioner to the ground and restrained him while Edney hit John’s calf with the baton six times and put his foot on his head.</p> <p>Edney said that both moves were justified as he was concerned John may “bite and spit” at police. When asked if he considered those actions appropriate, Edney said “Yes”.</p> <p>Senior Constable Brad McLeod and Senior Constable Florian Hilgart are also charged over the assault.</p>

News

Our Partners