Theo HAYEZ
Theo HAYEZ
Belgian backpacker Théo Hayez was last sighted leaving Cheeky Monkey’s bar in Byron Bay at approximately 11pm on the 31st May 2019.
Théo was reported missing six days later, after family became concerned about his lack of contact and realised he had failed to return to his accommodation at the Wake Up! Hostel in Byron Bay.
Extensive land, air and sea searches were conducted. A grey puma hat matching the description of Théo's was found in bushland at Tallow Beach by community search volunteers.
Théo's final phone signal was determined to be in the proximity of Cape Byron on 1st June 2019.
Investigations in conjunction with Théo's family and Google suggest a last possible whereabouts in the vicinity of Cosy Corner, Tallow Beach.
Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Théo is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police say they have concerns about a Belgian tourist who has been missing for a week after he was last seen leaving a nightclub in Byron Bay.
A BELGIAN tourist has been missing for a week after he was last seen leaving a nightclub in Byron Bay.
Friends of Théo Hayez, 18, have taken to social media to find the young traveller, who was due to return to Belgium next week.
Tweed-Byron Police District said in a statement officers from Byron Bay Police Station “have concerns” about Mr Hayez’s welfare, and an appeal was made for information from the public.
Mr Hayez was last seen at 11pm on May 31, leaving a nightclub in Byron Bay, believed to be Cheeky Monkey’s.
One of Mr Hayez’s friends said he was “travelling alone in Australia” and “was supposed to be on his way to Melbourne by now, before returning to Belgium in a week”.
Mr Hayez was reportedly staying at Wake Up! backpackers accomodation at Byron.
Police believe Mr Hayez was wearing “a greenish coloured hat with what appears to be a Puma logo on the front, a black hooded jumper with an unknown motif on the front, beige pants and black shoes”.
Mr Hayez was described as a caucasian man, about 180 centimetres tall with a tall, thin build, blue eyes and blonde hair.
He may also have a short beard and a moustache.
Police asked anyone who may know the whereabouts of Mr Hayez to phone Byron Bay Police Station on (02) 6685 9499.
Additionally, Mr Hayez was asked to present himself to a NSW Police station if possible “to confirm he is safe and well”.
On February 6, Mr Hayez was searching for a ride from Melbourne to Brisbane on Facebook and said he did not have a car but could “share the cost or organise something”.
A MISSING backpacker's family is pleading with the community for anyone who might have information about the 18-year-old's disappearance to come forward, as police continue to search the Byron Bay area.
Belgian teenager Theo Hayez was reported missing last Thursday after he had not been seen since Friday, May 31 in Byron Bay.
Theo's godfather and Victorian resident Jean-Phillipe Pector said his godson's disappearance was uncharacteristic because he was a sensible person who didn't take unnecessary risks.
"He was not used to drinking at all, he does not take drugs, he's really sensible and he wouldn't look for adventure especially if he wasn't fully in his normal capacity," Mr Pector said.
"He had a conversation on messenger with some people in Belgium (on May 31) and he seemed totally lucid."
Theo's family have been worried for his safety since his disappearance, with his godfather and two cousins arriving in Byron Bay shortly after he went missing to assist with police.
"We are in a situation really difficult because not only is Theo really close to us, it's really hard to imagine him being gone for so long without any news," Mr Pector said.
"But also we need to relay to his parents who are in Belgium who are not able to come (to Australia). You can imagine that if it's hard for us, how hard it is for the mum and dad.
"We keep in touch with them 24 hours, they don't sleep, we don't sleep. We try but it's not possible."
Tweed Byron Police District Chief Inspector Matthew Kehoe said anyone with information, dashcam footage or possible CCTV images from May 31 should come forward to police.
The search continued today in and around bushland near Cape Byron, with the assistance of SES.
"We haven't located anything of significance this far but our search continues today," Inspt Kehoe said.
"We've got six SES units, comprising of about 36 personnel, we also have a number of staff from the Tweed Byron Police District and a land search officer from the Richmond Police District.
"Presently, we're locating our search east of the CBD of Byron Bay and a north-east direction up towards the lighthouse in and around bushland.
"Our last recorded phone records that the phone was used in and around this area. Theo was last seen leaving a bar in Byron Bay about 11pm on that Friday evening."
Inspt Kehoe said the reason for the delay in starting the wide scale search for Theo, which started on Sunday, was because his disappearance wasn't reported to police until last Thursday evening.
"Theo had checked into a local hostel and none of his property was disturbed until residents of the hostel located it on that day," he said.
"It was some days until we were alerted to his disappearance unfortunately.
"It's very unusual behaviour from Theo, he's usually very regular in the contact with his family.
"Hence, we do have concern for his welfare.
"We believe Theo was only in the Byron Bay area for about two days before his disappearance on Friday, May 31. I believe he's been in Australia for a little over a month.
"Our investigations are on-going but at this stage we believe the phone was last used on that Friday evening."
Mr Pector said any information that could assist in the search of finding his godchild was welcome.
"We have no clue what happened, it's been really long now," he said.
"People who would have been in touch with him either after seeing him or just before he left to know if he had any plan.
"We don't know at all what happened to him. We still hope because we don't have news but it's getting long.
"We're working all the time to try to find a piece of information that would lead us to something. If you are not sure, probably restrain yourself to contact the police directly."
Mr Pector thanked the efforts of the police and rescue teams for their help over the last few days.
"We are feeding the police with information that we think is valid," he said.
"It is an incredible job since we have no clue of what could have been wrong on that day but something has been wrong, definitely."
A friend of the family posted on Facebook Mr Hayez was due to return to Belgium on June 13.
The father of a Belgian teenager last seen in Byron Bay more than two weeks ago has broken down in tears as he explained the devastating impact his son’s ‘baffling’ disappearance has had on his family.
THE father of a Belgian backpacker who vanished after leaving a Byron Bay bar more than two weeks ago has made an emotional appeal for help.
Theo Hayez, 18, was last seen leaving Cheeky Monkey’s on Jonson Street at Byron Bay about 11pm on May 31
He never returned to Wake Up! hostel, where he had been staying.
The teenager’s father Laurent Hayez flew to Australia last week and spent the weekend searching in vain for his son.
He appealed for assistance from the public at Tweed Heads Police Station on Monday, facing a room packed with members of the media.
Breaking down into tears, Mr Hayez feared his son could be in “grave danger” and he asked anyone with information to contact police, or to call Crime Stoppers anonymously.
He said he “promised Theo’s little brother” that he would “bring his brother home”.
“Please help me keep my promise to him,” Mr Hayez said.
Mr Hayez, supported by Theo’s cousin and godfather, extended his gratitude to the Northern Rivers community for their support.
He said he was able to fly to Australia thanks to a public crowdfunding effort.
Tweed Byron Police District Commander, Superintendent Dave Roptell, said officers were “baffled” by the sudden disappearance.
He confirmed homicide detectives have been involved in investigations, but it was not clear if suspicious circumstances were involved.
He said officers were trying to access the missing tourist’s WhatsApp account, which was used the night he disappeared.
Last week, the mother of the missing 18-year-old, Vinciane Delforge, told French media her son’s disappearance was out of character.
NSW Police Force and the State Emergency Service, (SES) using police dogs and drones, have been assisted by members of the community in a widespread search of Byron and surrounds, across bushland, beaches and swamps.
Mr Hayez had been holidaying in Australia since November, accompanied by his cousin, who has been heavily involved in the search.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm to 190cm tall, with a thin build and blonde hair.
He was last seen dressed in a black hooded jumper, beige pants and black shoes.
Mr Hayez belongings, including his phone, bank cards and passport, have not been used since May 31.
Know more? Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
New details have emerged about the final hours before missing 18-year-old backpacker Theo Hayez disappeared in Byron Bay.
IT’S been revealed an 18-year-old backpacker missing from Byron Bay was asked to leave a bar by security just hours before his disappearance.
Theo Hayez disappeared more than two weeks ago during a night out in the popular holiday town, and his disappearance has sparked emotional pleas from family and friends.
A Belgian backpacker who was one of the last people to possibly see Theo has expressed his sincere concern for his fellow traveller’s welfare.
Antoine Van Laethem, 19, made friends with the fellow teen at the Wake Up Backpackers in Belongil on Friday, May 31 before the pair decided to go out for drinks that evening.
The pair were spotted entering The Northern Hotel bottle shop in Byron Bay about 7.45pm on May 31 before heading to Cheeky Monkeys Bar on Jonson St later in the night.
Theo was last seen on CCTV leaving Cheeky Monkeys Bar about 11pm, and it is now believed Theo was asked to leave the bar by security.
Mr Van Laethem said he sent Theo a text the following day which was never answered.
“We went out together after leaving the hostel and we arrived with some other people from the hostel and then everyone talked with other people,” Mr Van Laethem said.
“I didn’t see him leaving before me, I don’t know when he left the bar before us. An hour later he was kicked out of Cheeky Monkeys.
“I can’t tell what time I last saw him, we came together to Cheeky Monkeys but I didn’t see him leaving the pub, maybe before 11pm.
“I sent him a message the day after but he never answered and six days later his cousin sent me and told me he’d gone missing for about a week.”
Mr Van Laethem said he was worried for his new friend, but expressed his trust in the police to find him after he spoke with both Tweed Byron Police and Belgian Police officials.
“I feel worried about him, we still don’t know what happened to Theo. I’m worried about his family also because I think it’s the worst thing when you don’t know what happened to someone,” he said.
“It’s the uncertainty and worrying.
“The Byron Bay community has helped out with a lot of the searches but it’s now the police to keep going and searching for him.”
Mr Van Laethem said he had thought about leaving Byron Bay but decided to stay to continue with his English lessons.
Police are continuing to search bushland between The Pass and Byron Bay Lighthouse this afternoon.
Drones and sniffer dogs will be used by police today as they up the ante in the search for missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez.
DRONES and sniffer dogs will be used by police today as they up the ante in the search for missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez.
The search for the missing 18-year old will resume mid-morning.
Police rescue officers will be searching clifftops around Byron Bay with help of the Brunswick Valley Volunteer Rescue Association.
Mr Hayez was last seen leaving Cheeky Monkey’s on Jonson Street at Byron Bay about 11pm on May 31.
He never returned to Wake Up! hostel, where he had been staying.
The teenager’s father Laurent Hayez flew to Australia last week and has spent the weekend searching for his son.
He appealed for assistance from the public at Tweed Heads Police Station on Monday, facing a room packed with members of the media.
Mr Hayez had been holidaying in Australia since November, accompanied by his cousin, who has been heavily involved in the search.
He is described as being of caucasian appearance, about 180cm to 190cm tall, with a thin build and blonde hair.
He was last seen dressed in a black hooded jumper, beige pants and black shoes.
Mr Hayez’S belongings, including his phone, bank cards and passport, have not been used since May 31.
Police are continuing to appeal for public assistance, including anyone who may have CCTV from surrounding areas from about 11pm on Friday 31 May 2019, or anyone with dashcam footage from Jonson or Tennyson streets to come forward.
Know more? Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
An extensive air, land and sea search operation involving multiple agencies across police, SES volunteers and surf lifesaving groups have yet been unable to locate the missing teenager.
Theo’s father and Belgian search authorities were flown into NSW last month to join the huge search, which had also attracted the help of local residents and tourists.
The community are gathering today to search for the missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez who was last seen in Byron Bay almost two months ago.
COMMUNITY members today combed the bush for missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez who was last seen in Byron Bay almost two months ago.
A group of around 25 volunteers searched through Tallow Beach and have called on others to help them.
A Facebook event was created by a group called Looking for Theo Hayez said said volunteers would be searching some “dense scrub” off Tallow Beach.
“This may be a tough search and we require many strong, fit people to assist,” the event page read.
“We deeply appreciate your ongoing support and hope to find some answers for Theo’s family.”
Over the past couple of days, the group has been sharing photos of a “silver necklace with two pendants” Mr Hayez was seen wearing.
It is understood the necklace has not yet been found.
The events page advised anyone willing to volunteer to wear walking shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved top, sunscreen, hat, gloves, a walking stick and to bring water and snacks.
The group asks for people to use a GPS tracker application on their phone and email theohayezgps@gmail.com at the end of the day to monitor the areas which have been searched.
Volunteer Sheri D’Rosario has been helping with the search since the early days following the teen’s disappearance.
“We didn’t find anything new (today), it was a really hard search,” she said.
“There were parts where the bush was really, really thick and there were people having to climb over the top of bushes, falling in amongst the scrub.
“We covered the ground we wanted to cover, then we had a bit of time this afternoon and went to look at some other areas as well.”
Those taking part will be meeting at the Tallow Beach car park at the end of Tallow Beach Road and will be searching the area from 9am to 3pm.
The search comes more than a month after police called off the search for Mr Hayez, saying they “do not have any more answers” for the teen’s family at this stage.
Mr Hayez was last seen leaving Cheeky Monkey’s on Jonson Street at Byron Bay about 11pm on May 31.
He never returned to Wake Up! hostel, where he had been staying.
Mr Hayez had been holidaying in Australia since November, accompanied by his cousin, who has been heavily involved in the search.
He is described as being of caucasian appearance, about 180cm to 190cm tall, with a thin build and blonde hair.
He was last seen dressed in a black hooded jumper, beige pants and black shoes.
Mr Hayez’s belongings, including his phone, bank cards and passport, have not been used since May 31.
Police are continuing to appeal for public assistance, including anyone who may have CCTV from surrounding areas from about 11pm on Friday 31 May 2019, or anyone with dashcam footage from Jonson or Tennyson streets to come forward.
Know more? Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
