Jesse Baird's mother farewells her son in emotional memorial service
Slain TV presenter Jesse Baird has been farewelled by his loved ones at an emotional memorial service in Melbourne, one month after he was killed alongside his partner.
Hundreds of friends and family packed into Melbourne’s Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, all donning bright colours to remember the 26-year-old.
Baird's mother Helen spoke about her "darling boy" in a tear-jerking tribute, saying, “My beautiful, generous, loving, precious, caring and talented boy, our hearts and lives are changed forever,”
“I promise to fight for you and make you proud. My heart is broken my darling boy, and I love you more than this world."
"Our hearts and lives are changed forever and there is less sparkle in the world. There will never be another you."
Jesse's father Gary added, “You squeezed 100 years of life into 26 and our hearts are broken. You’ll be missed but never forgotten.”
Kourtnee, Jesse's sister, battled through floods of tears to farewell her brother, saying, "You are the absolute light of my life. My biggest inspiration and my biggest cheerleader."
Jesse's Studio 10 colleagues were also in attendance, with co-host Daniel Doody saying that Baird "was more than a co-worker, he was a brother, a best mate."
"Just like all your live on-air appearances, I wish there was more time."
Balloons spelling out Baird’s name adorned the convention centre’s stage alongside photos of him smiling at different stages in his life.
After the service, the large crowd gathered outside to blow a flurry of bubbles.
Image credits: 7News