After buying two drinks at the bar, Theo was escorted out by security staff at 11PM. Feature image: Facebook/@Looking.for.Theo. Theo Hayez inquest: what happened at 1.02am in Byron Bay key to Belgian teen's disappearance. It is on one of the two main roads, although it is slightly out from the main town centre. But when asked by reporter Tara Brown if she had hope her son would come home, a tearyVinciane replied: 'I don't think so'. Sen Const Papworth and the search teams were instead forced to rely on paper maps and pens. With more backpackers than actual residents residing in Byron for much of the year, Byron Bays culture is very unique. This story reaching the attention of former Byron travellers might be the key to solving this mystery. Theo and a new friend caught a shuttle bus into town in the early evening. Coroner O'Sullivan hopes a police reward would encourage anyone with information to come forward, and also recommended that police improve their technological skills using Google and Facebook to trace missing persons. Google Timeline tracking ended there, near Cosy Corner at the northern end of Tallow Beach, shortly after midnight, and the last signal from his phone was recorded in the same area at 1.42 pm the following day. For those gathered, the vigil offered a moment to reflect on Tho's story, his heartbroken loved ones overseas, and the ongoing search for answers. "There, he climbed towards the lighthouse and fell from the cliffs into the ocean. However, after obtaining Theos Google records, it was determined that Theo didnt go back to the hostel that night. The total walking time from the bar to the Milne track would be less than 20 minutes at a normal pace. He didnt board the Greyhound bus. The Lighthouse - by The Australian; all about the search for Theo Hayez who went missing in Bryon Bay Ms Edwards asked. Byron Bay, on NSW's far north coast, is the last known stop on his adventure. The NSW government has announced a $500,000 reward for information about the disappearance of Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez. What happened next would be unbelievable IF we didnt have evidence that it did, in fact, happen. resigns from Google and says he regets Pictured: British grandfather and 'friend to everybody' who died while snorkelling during dream cruise Baby in India is born with a third ARM growing from its back in rare phenomenon. A nine-hour drive from Sydney and two hours from Brisbane, the town is accessible while still feeling oddly remote. Image: AAP. Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez, 18, was last seen in Byron Bay on May 31, 2019 In a coronial inquest, it was revealed 'someone' was chatting with Mr Hayez In potential case breakthrough,. He said if Theo tried to walk up the "deceptively easy" grassy side of the cliff from Cosy Corner, he may not have realised the other side was steep and unstable shale. Theo Hayez was one of the many people backpacking through the area. Ms Edwards said there was evidence of a brief connection to an IP address from the Telstra service just before 1ambut there was no evidence Theo was near another mobile device at that time. 'I cannot conclude that Theo died by misadventure. Investigations in conjunction with Hayez's family and Google suggest a last possible whereabouts in the vicinity of Cosy Corner, Tallow Beach. The hostel confirmed he had failed to check out as The streets he walked down were dark. His phone connected to the Cape Byron cell tower (close to Cozy Corner) at 1:42PM the following day. Top conservative think tank takes the Biden administration to court for Prince Harry's immigration records - Father 'crushed to death' in indoor cave at tourist attraction 'was read poem by his daughter' while he lay 'He's been dead for 130 years and can still satisfy the ladies': Social media goes wild over mystery woman Can the Keto diet help treat mental illness? He was responsible and cautious and it would be out of character to attempt something so reckless. Investigator are a step closer to solving the mystery of missing backpacker Theo Hayez, as they hone in on WhatsApp messages he exchanged the night he vanished. The Wake Up! His cousin, Lisa Hayez, said it was common for them to enter directions into Google Maps and then use the map to navigate by zooming in and out without changing the directions. 'He's been dead for 130 years and can still satisfy the ladies': Social media goes wild over mystery woman Can the Keto diet help treat mental illness? "If we knew what that was, we would probably know what happened to Theo," she said. While many young travellers get caught up in drugs and partying, Theo was responsible. He disappeared a week before he was due to fly home to Belgium. Theo was a responsible and cautious young man. Is your loved one missing? hostel, with him stopping at a cricket ground and fire trail before he entered the bushland near Tallow Beach and the Byron Bay Lighthouse. His room was apparently left unbothered. 'I don't want to overstate it, your honour, but we know Theo was engaged in some WhatsApp activity just before 1am on the 31st of May,' counsel assisting the coroner, Kirsten Edwards said. Speaking at the inquest, Detective Senior Constable Philip Parker said he believes the backpacker is deceased, and that authorities havent found any information to suggest he had been abducted, the ABC reports. They always turn back up, though. Theo Hayez disappeared on May 31 st of 2019. Theo's phone has never been found, but his family managed to gain access to his Google account, which provided a "digital data trail" of his movements on the night he disappeared. But at 6.17am the phone started receiving data again, meaning it did not go into the water (the manufacturer confirmed it would not receive data if submerged). I dont believe he would have gone swimming - it was incredibly cold that night. Police believe Hayez most likely met his fate trying to climb up the cliff, falling into the water below before being washed out to sea. It's difficult to accept he ended up at Cosy Corner by mistake. A coroner has officially declared missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez dead, but cannot say whether he met with foul play and his body was disposed of, or if he fell off the cliffs at Byron Bay when he vanished three years ago. The track is difficult enough to find in the daytime, she said, and at night is extremely dark. Theos grieving mother, Vinciane, broke down in tears as she made a heartbreaking admission about her missing son. Could a hormone spray reignite your love life? It is also a puzzle that has left his family lost in a sea of sadness and uncertainty. Joe cast aside his own grandkid to protect his 'It's better than the noise and the dirt of London!' I think that we will never know (what happened to Theo) but I hope our situation, our story, is helpful to others, she told 60 Minutes. According to the family, data from his phone indicates he went towards . The handset remained in roughly the same area, until its battery presumably ran out, but it has never been found. This was the last leg of his Australian trip and he was very much looking forward to starting his next chapter of life: university then building a career. Key points: On 60 Minutes last weekend, Theo's devastated mother, Vinciane, opened up on the toll his disappearance has had on her and their family, saying: 'I think that we will never know but I hope our situation, our story, is helpful to others. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a black hooded jumper, beige pants and black shoes. The intricate, abstract motif is a symbol used in various spiritual traditions as an instrument of meditation. A quick walk from the shuttle parking lot brought them to Cheeky Monkeys a well known backpackers bar. Another is how he came to be on the Cosy Corner beach in the dark. . Despite this, while Mr Jubelin said he would be treating it (Theos disappearance) as suspicious circumstances, he also wasnt able to discount other theories, including misadventure. The hostel is at the top left corner of the map (20 minute walk). [8] A coroners inquest was set for November 2021. Lisa Hayez told the inquest she had walked the secluded path Theo followed and was convinced he would never have embarked on the trek through dense bushland alone. But his family could not accept he would attempt such a feat in the dark nor, indeed, that he would have trekked through bushland alone in the dark to arrive at Tallow Beach in the first place. At the urging of locals and police, coroner Teresa OSullivan walked the Milne Track one night last year. The pioneering heart operation that only takes an hour and doesn't leave a scar is performed on first Briton. Theo checked into the Wake Up! And Theo didnt follow the Milne Track properly instead of following it as it curves south, he took a turn off into bushland and curved north. The 18-year-old then looked up directions to his hostel on Google Maps. Even on busy summer nights, they are far removed from the hustle and bustle of Byron proper, despite being only minutes away. $500,000 reward announced by NSW Police in February. Wake Up is one of the nicer hostels in town, located slightly out of the main centre. The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Senior Constable Philip Parker, said "it could be possible" Theo was abducted, but police hadn't "found any information to that regard". He had made plans to catch up with friends and family on his return, and had no history of mental illness or suicidal ideation. But just after 1am his phone stopped receiving data. 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. There has been much criticism of their handling of this, but it tends to be quite distracting from the case. All times AEST (GMT +10). 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. In February, the NSW government announced a $500,000 reward for significant information regarding the backpackers disappearance. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. I walked down Jonson Street at 11pm past Cheeky Monkeys. He couldn't recall that text but, with the benefit of hindsight, would ask for that assistance, he said. Evidence given by Theo's brother Lucas at the close of an inquest this week left Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan weeping, and led herto temporarily adjourn the court. Few other details about evidence have been made public. Fans don't believe North West, nine, organized lavish pre-Met Gala gift for mom Kim Kardashian: 'What 9 year Melting the ice queen's heart! The monster ego's ball: Tonight the great and the woke will honor Karl Lagerfeld at the Met show-off-athon, Met Gala prep! Mr Hayez, 18, was last seen at. "The Byron community is a very passionate and compassionate community, and I think there was just so much empathy thinking of Theo's mum and dad and brother and all of his family members in Belgium feeling so fearful andbeing on the other side of the world. They were active in sharing flyers and information about the missing backpacker. The bush is thick out there, one would have to battle through a LOT of branches. counsel assisting the coroner Kirsten Edwards asked. The Hayez family have repeatedly said they do not believe Theo was alone after he left Cheeky Monkeys. Hostel didnt report Theo missing until 3 days after he was meant to check out. Missing Theo Hayez wouldn't have walked along Byron Bay bush track alone, cousin tells inquest. He was reported last seen leaving a bar called Cheeky Monkeys. 'He was a regular and competent user of Google Maps. OSullivan told Byron Bay Local Court on Friday the inquest had shown significant legislative gaps, roadblocks and inconsistencies which impede missing persons investigations, and called for a comprehensive examination of the issues by both state and federal law reform commissions. It is difficult to accept that he ended up at Cosy Corner by mistake, she said. The comments below have been moderated in advance. Omicron variant Australia: new Covid strain in Darwin as NSW investigates possible further cases, Queensland woman who ran down and killed cyclist in sheer rage jailed for 10 years, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. It is excellent and covers far more ground than I have. 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. When he was 18 years old, he decided to travel around Australia to visit friends and family and see the sights. 'Nazi gold' turns out to be a WW2 bullet and a pair of muddy boots: Hunt for lost loot hidden in Dutch 'I'm no deadbeat dad!' They are in town, but there is nothing out there. down the Queensland coast. He had reportedly been apprehensive about the trip initially, wondering whether it was worth delaying his engineering studies for. hostel where he was staying, but then headed in the opposite direction. Catch up with The Loop, Jock Zonfrillo remembered as an 'incredible chef' and influential member of Australia's culinary landscape, Selling the furniture and couch-surfing: Families forced to make 'impossible' decisions amid fears inflation crisis hitting kids, Perfect storm brewing for housing market and it could make buying your own home a pipedream, Family of man shot dead by police question why they weren't called in to help, Clare desperately wanted to stop drinking but she couldn't make it stick. Background. By Candace Sutton for Daily Mail Australia, Published: 01:20 BST, 21 October 2022 | Updated: 02:08 BST, 21 October 2022. US tech billionaire's son Matt Baszucki found the low-carb/high Trendy hard floors could be to blame for your foot pain (and there is a simple way to stop it). At the Cheeky Monkeys bar, the group discussed European politics as they drank a few beers. He wanted to form and continue genuine connections with people, particularly those close to him, and enjoy experiences without drugs and heavy drinking. Although, it's believed the demands were not genuine. NSW Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan handed down her findings on Friday after an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the 18-year-old traveller. Late on Monday afternoon, dozens of people gathered on the shore at The Pass in Byron Bay in a vigil to Belgian man, Tho Hayez, who vanished from the region two years ago. 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Between midnight and 1am at Cosy Corner, he watched a comedy clip on YouTube and messaged family and friends in a manner inconsistent with him feeling afraid, OSullivan said. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Britain's rock solid support for the Royal Family: With Charles' Coronation just four days way, a major poll reveals there is little appetite for republicanism but reform IS needed, High-ranking Met Police officer on 100,000-a-year who was found to be a regular user of 'high-class' prostitutes was allowed to keep his job after he was let off with a minor rebuke, Police hunt for Brixton killer after woman in her 30s is stabbed to death in broad daylight near O2 Academy, ROYAL CHANNEL LIVE: The monarch's unexpected defender from Down Under, Beatrice and Eugenie in the party mood and fears of heavy rain on May 6 - latest updates. Laurent Hayez, the father of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez, speaks to waiting media in 2021, Senior Constable Louis Papworth admitted he had only conducted two minor searches before the Belgian teen went missing in late May of 2019 (pictured, teams search the north flank of Byron Bay lighthouse for Theo Hayez). The worst fears of Theo Hayezs loved ones have been confirmed after an inquest found the 18-year-old Belgian backpacker died shortly after he disappeared on a night out in Byron Bay in 2019 but whether he died as a result of an innocent accident or foul play remains a mystery. CCTV footage of him in and around the nightclub is inconclusive. It is highly likely that if Theo did meet new friends that night, theyd be long gone from Byron with no idea that he disappeared. The working theory of police is that Theo may have been trying to get to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, a popular tourist attraction. By the time it was realised where his path actually brought him, the trail was very cold. Part of me thinks something sinister happened and people are too scared to come forward. Hayezs phone has never been found. He was last sighted leaving Cheeky Monkey's bar in Byron Bay at approximately 11:00 pm on 31 May 2019. region two years ago. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Hostel at Belongil Beach, just outside the bustle of the popular holiday town's centre. 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. He also said there was nothing that had"come to light during the investigation" to suggest there was any form of foul play or homicide involved. A subreddit dedicated to the unresolved mysteries of the world. Detective Senior Constable Parker told the inquest he believed Theo was dead because his bank and social media accounts had not been used since he went missing. This page is not available in other languages. By all accounts, he hadnt had that much to drink, and he wasnt aggressive or causing any issues. I also feel Theo is giving me strength.. The Lighthouse, an investigative podcast produced by The Australian in late 2019, reported that Hayez family received several ransom demands in the weeks after Tho's disappearance. According to his phone data, Mr Hayezs last reported location was near the Tallow Beach Cosy Corner near the Cape Byron cliffs. "Because obviously we don't have the answers that we need at the moment. Theos grey PUMA cap was reportedly found in the bushland near Tallows Beach. We know that he sent a Whatsapp message to his stepsister about 1AM. 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. Its only by seeing this that one can grasp just how odd this route is. Whether Hayez encountered anybody else that night is one of the major mysteries the inquest will explore. Reply . Disappearance of Tho Hayez Tho Hayez was an 18-year old Belgian man who disappeared in the Cape Byron area. Since arriving in November 2018, the 18-year-old stayed with his godfather in Victoria's Otways, worked at the Australian Open with his cousin, travelled to Tasmania, road-tripped from Alice Springs to Darwin and Kakadu, and sailed and surfed his way It's been two years since Tho Hayez vanished in Byron Bay. Theo Hayez, an 18-year-old Belgian national, had spent months in Australia and was just days away from flying home. She said that he 'stopped for seven minutes at the cricket nets, may have met somebody with local knowledge who helped him navigate the streets until start of the track, 'There was a long term camp in the bush where he deviated sharply off the path, where his hat was found.'. 'If you'd had that access to that information, you would have approached the search in a very different way, and with a lot more intensity?' "Today, two years after [Tho's disappearance], a heartfelt demonstration of love on the Byron beach. They went to the Northern Hotels bottle shop, where CCTV shows them purchasing rose wine at 7:45PM and acting perfectly normal. Already getting in the party mood! 'The fact the phonecontinued to transmit for 13 hours could suggest he became separated from phone and went into water without it. Theo Hayez, 18, is likely to have died soon after leaving a nightclub in Byron Bay, New South Wales on 31 May 2019, a coroner ruled. From being born a man to Queen of the Mountains: Trans cyclist romps to victory in elite women's race - CBS 'was LOSING as much as $20 million a year on James Corden's The Late Late Show' where he earned up to Adidas investors sue sports retail giant for 'routinely ignoring' Kanye West's 'extreme behavior' including From breathtaking beaches to epic waterfalls and lost valleys: Fascinating new guidebook bursting with Do YOU live in one of the UK's UFO hotspots? 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. His subsequent decisions would be hard to believe if investigators didnt have Google data obtained by his family, Edwards said. [1] His family called New South Wales police on 6 June 2019, concerned about his lack of contact and that he had failed to return to his accommodation. Theos godfather, Jean-Philippe Pector, and cousin Lisa Hayez outside the court on Friday.Credit: Natalie Grono. was approaching intoxication". 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. Have scientists finally created a jab to keep ALL flu strains at bay? Cheeky Monkeys has a bad reputation around town. Its totally normal to meet up with new people, adventure a bit. Everyone in Byron has kept close tabs on this story. [3] Messaging platform Whatsapp cooperated with NSW Police in the endeavour to recover chat logs from the night. He was 18 years old at the time. An inquest is examining the disappearance of 18-year-old Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez. There will always be sadness until the very end of our life but it is healthy to stop searching. But its not abnormal that he would be with someone. At 6.17am, it re-entered reception range and continued to receive data until lunchtime that day suggesting it did not fall into the water. After midnight, Hayez used his phone to swap messages with his stepsister, Emma, watch clips from a French quiz show, and joke with a friend on Facebook about an upcoming U2 concert. A former homicide detective believes the 2019 disappearance of Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez in Byron Bay should be treated as "suspicious," in lieu of the latest evidence. resigns from Google and says he regets Pictured: British grandfather and 'friend to everybody' who died while snorkelling during dream cruise Baby in India is born with a third ARM growing from its back in rare phenomenon. He was polite, but wobbly on his feet, they said. Lisa later provided good insight into what Theos version of backpacking looked like. Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 00:23, "Theo Hayez's parents still have faith they'll find him and that he may be held captive", "Father of missing backpacker makes tearful appeal for help", "Theo Hayez's family outraged over DNA on hat claim by news agency", "Why missing backpacker's encrypted WhatsApp messages may never be unlocked", "Theo Hayez: Family hope WhatsApp messages will help find missing backpacker", "Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez vanished a year ago in Byron Bay and there are still no answers", "Theo Hayez's family reject police theory that backpacker fell into ocean", "Tho Hayez family agony brings coroner to tears as police offer hope of missing person reward", "TWO YEARS SINCE THEO HAYEZ WENT MISSING IN BYRON BAY: THE SEARCH CONTINUES | NBN News", "Extraordinary discovery after claim missing backpacker Theo Hayez was buried in Byron Bay bushland", "It's been two years since Tho Hayez vanished in Byron Bay.