There is debate about how intoxicated Theo was, with multiple witnesses claiming he wasnt drunk. Police believe Theo sent light-hearted messages to his friends and family in French from that location, with the last message sent to his step-sister Emma at 12:55am. Theo HAD to be with someone that night. The working theory of police is that Theo may have been trying to get to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, a popular tourist attraction. He was also not believed to be a reckless or aggressive or a heavy drinker and regularly stayed in contact with his family. 1.06K subscribers #theohayez #byronbay #tarot In May 2019 Theo Hayez, a young Belgian tourist, went missing at Byron Bay in Australia after having been escorted out of a bar for being too. The daughter of a former tax office deputy commissioner and young mum will spend at least five years behind bars. With more backpackers than actual residents residing in Byron for much of the year, Byron Bays culture is very unique. He was polite, but wobbly on his feet, they said. The pair discovered he had not taken his scheduled bus to Sydney on June 3. Due to the urgency of the search and his inexperience, he told the inquest he had made 'some mistakes.'. According to Private investigator Ken Gamble, the initiative brought forward several new leads, which authorities are investigating. Then something happened at 1.02am, Edwards said. His mother, concerned she had not made contact with her son in close to a week, contacted Theo's Victorian-based godparents. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. In the early 2000s, it was ranked as one of the most violent bars in Australia and every Byron local you meet seems to have a strong opinion about Cheeky Monkeys. -. The inquest continues. The comments below have been moderated in advance. Walking into the bushland and climbing up the grassy side of the Cape Byron cliff alone at night is something we believe Theo would never have done unless he was with someone at the time.. 'The major difficulty with the accident theory is Theo's character. Despite the efforts of police and volunteers, who combed the bushland, beach and rugged cliffs for signs of Hayez more than a week after he was last seen, nothing but his cap was found. Speaking at the inquest - the same day police announced a $500,000 reward for information in his case - Senior Constable Louis Papworth admitted he had only previously conducted two minor searches before the 18-year-old went missing. However she said there had been no reported attacks in the area, 'and 'no-one saw anyone at the cricket nets' and a 'random murder of a backpacker in Byron Bay' would be extraordinary. When Theo left the club, he checked his phone for directions back to the Wake Up! "Because obviously we don't have the answers that we need at the moment. Already getting in the party mood! There will always be sadness until the very end of our life but it is healthy to stop searching. Watch the video above for more on the cash reward "We believe thatscenario is not likely, especially the fact that Theo would have been alone, without meeting anyone.". Fellow traveller Loic Spiess gave evidence via video-link that he and Hayez had been . Belgian authorities were able to use technology called geo-fencing to check for other phones in the same area at the same time. More volunteers would have been sent to those areas and he would have sent detectives to interview 'vagrants' who were staying near the sporting field. Then he disappeared without a trace. An inquest into the 18-year-olds disappearance in northern New South Wales has heard police believe he clambered up the beachside cliffs, dropped his phone, then fell and was swept out to sea. If he had access to location data sourced from Theo's phone on those first two days . Next, he took a dark track through bushland towards the ocean, at points appearing to walk quickly or run. The family submit it would be completely inconsistent with Theos character to attempt something so reckless, particularly alone.. Theo was a responsible and cautious young man. In May 2019, the Belgian national seemingly disappeared after he was kicked out of the Cheeky Monkeys a popular Byron Bay bar and nightclub for appearing intoxicated. "There, he climbed towards the lighthouse and fell from the cliffs into the ocean. Or he had met 'with one or more persons' between the cricket nets area at Byron and Cosy Corner beach 'and those persons caused his death and disposed of his body'. Hostel didnt report Theo missing until 3 days after he was meant to check out. During the inquest in 2021, it was reported there were no signs of pre-existing concerns that the teenager was at risk of death by suicide, and had no known troubles legally, personally and financially. I walked down Jonson Street at 11pm past Cheeky Monkeys. [4][5], The Hayez family continued to push the authorities to maintain a focus on the case and to follow up leads. I have personally walked his path. He had made plans to catch up with friends and family on his return, and had no history of mental illness or suicidal ideation. SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: What really happened to missing backpacker Theo Tho Hayez was an 18-year old Belgian man who disappeared in the Cape Byron area. The Belgian teenager disappeared in 2019 from NSW tourist hotspot Byron Bay, with an inquest on Wednesday hearing there had been a 'potential breakthrough' in the case. Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez dropped into Byron Bay in late May 2019, enticed by the town's unique allure of bohemian life, beautiful surf beaches and a sprinkling of international celebrity glamour. Dozens of locals joined volunteer searches that continued well after police finished their investigation and referred the matter to the coroner in September, 2019. Hayez's father, Laurent, also fronted the media to say he would like the NSW government to issue a reward for information about his son's disappearance. The track is difficult enough to find in the daytime, she said, and at night is extremely dark. The coroner said that the misadventure theory had Theo falling off the Byron cliffs and his body washed out to sea. Could a hormone spray reignite your love life? When he was 18 years old, he decided to travel around Australia to visit friends and family and see the sights. They always turn back up, though. 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