Australia Australia - Theo Hayez, 18, Belgian backpacker, Byron Bay, 31 May 2019 #4

[ad rem]

It has already been submitted to Crime Stoppers NSW that Theo Hayez was viewing his map app inverted 180 degrees.

 

[ad rem]

(click to open/enlarge)
Note the terrain. Residential housing by clear parkland with thick scrub background.

 

[ad rem]

(click to open/enlarge)

It is my estimation, Theo Hayez only realised his actual location was east coast Byron Bay and not his intended north coast Byron Bay after arriving at the beachside end of Milne Track. Prior to this, IMO, he was overriding his map app route display which was continually adjusting and displaying coordinates for him to go back in the opposite direction of his actual travel. Map apps are sometimes in error. Pilots are sometimes in error. Navigating solely by single instrument can be hazardous, even in broad daylight.

 

[ad rem]

(click to open/enlarge)

Possible correction. A fellow Websleuth previously posted Theo Hayez ventured off Milne Track. Whatever the case he arrived at Tallow Beach.

The above photo is to reiterate more specifically. It is my estimation Theo entered the scrubland looking to get to what he thought was Belongil Beach. Along that particular stretch of coastline, apart from the hostel he was staying at, there are encroaching buildings with lighting and an open carpark by the sand.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

We haven't forgotten Theo. Bumping up thread.

 

[HinterlandObserver]

Interviews with 12 backpackers could finally solve mystery of what happened to missing Theo Hayes | Daily Mail Online

This article is from December. Still waiting on any updates.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

'Many questions' about Byron disappearance of Théo Hayez TWO years on

Today marks two years since Théo Hayez mysteriously disappeared on a night out in Byron Bay - and 'not a day goes by' that his family doesn't wonder what happened on that fateful night.

Theo's father Laurent told Daily Mail Australia he had received his COVID-19 vaccine so he can return to Australia for the crucial upcoming Coroner's hearing into the Belgian backpacker's disappearance.

Laurent is hopeful the hearing, due to be held in idyllic NSW tourist town in November, will shed light on the 'many remaining questions' surrounding his son's case.

 

[annpats]

I was in Byron Bay myself a few years ago. While it's a small well-to-do little coastal town, I did notice there was quite a presence of backpackers that were into the counter-culture and drug scene, as it's not to far from Nimbin, another small inland NSW town that surreptitiously grows a humongous amount of super-strength cannabis.

I myself saw 3 fellow backpackers (2 men (staying at the hostel) taking it in turns to have sex with 1 woman (from another hostel) completely naked in the dormitory one afternoon. They didn't stop when I walked in, and I had to get someone from the front desk.

I think Byron Bay has the potential for nefarious behaviour, and there was a weird atmosphere there for such a small town.

I walked up to the lighthouse on a rural trail way, then walked back down by houses. I don't believe you can go to off a trail without coming into either civilisation, another path, or the ocean.

I'm wondering if Theo may have been attacked or robbed by other backpackers, say a group of, or a couple of, young guys and he was pushed into the ocean or taken in a car and dumped somewhere in the NSW bushland.
A few backpackers stay in Australia for upto a year and so buy cheap cars to get around and move on.

Well, I hope I've given you a bit of insight, but it was the strangest small town I've been to. Wouldn't have been out of place in Oregon or Washington state.

There has been quite a bit of crime in Australia involving missing backpackers, and with the country being so huge and lack of rural police and CCTV, not to mention itinerant people from other countries, and also Australians from other parts, that come to have a 'good time' it's no wonder things happen.

 

[MaddyAUS]

New to WS but have been following the Lighthouse podcast.

 

[bede00021]

Was there any results from that human jawbone that was found on Umina beach that belonged to a man in their 20s? It was black. I can't find any results of it just articles about it being found. Police have got to get their results back out to the public. I hate not knowing

 

[TootsieFootsie]

NoCookies | The Australian

Missing backpacker Theo Hayez tip leads to discovery in abandoned house.

A disturbing claim that missing backpacker Theo Hayez was buried in dense bushland in Byron Bay has been exhaustively scrutinised in a private investigation that has led to an astonishing discovery in a derelict house.

The burial claim was raised in an anonymous online tip and has been examined over the past year by a renowned private investigator working pro bono for the family of the Belgian, who was 18 when he vanished from the northern NSW beachside town two years ago.

In the main living room, the owner picked up some letters. They were addressed to Thea Liddle, whose skeletal remains were found in a camp site in bushland off Tallow Beach Rd in Byron Bay in July last year.

Instantly recognising Liddle’s name, the private investigators contacted local police, who attended the house, temporarily sealed off the property and removed three suitcases of her suspected belongings.


No items relating to Hayez were located in the search of the Nimbin house.

 

[ad rem]

NoCookies | The Australian

Missing backpacker Theo Hayez tip leads to discovery in abandoned house.

A disturbing claim that missing backpacker Theo Hayez was buried in dense bushland in Byron Bay has been exhaustively scrutinised in a private investigation that has led to an astonishing discovery in a derelict house.

The burial claim was raised in an anonymous online tip and has been examined over the past year by a renowned private investigator working pro bono for the family of the Belgian, who was 18 when he vanished from the northern NSW beachside town two years ago.

In the main living room, the owner picked up some letters. They were addressed to Thea Liddle, whose skeletal remains were found in a camp site in bushland off Tallow Beach Rd in Byron Bay in July last year.

Instantly recognising Liddle’s name, the private investigators contacted local police, who attended the house, temporarily sealed off the property and removed three suitcases of her suspected belongings.

No items relating to Hayez were located in the search of the Nimbin house.

Have I understood your post correctly?

- Owner of derelict house picked up some letters in main living room addressed to deceased woman.
- Anonymous online tip to renowned private investigator (singular).
- Private investigators (plural) speculate TH "was" buried somewhere so they contact local police.
- Police attended the derelict house.
- Nothing related to TH located in derelict house.

At the top of your post is link to newspaper paywall with... Subscribe for award winning journalism

www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fmissing-backpacker-theo-hayez-tip-leads-to-discovery-in-abandoned-house%2Fnews-story%2F36d915df44a4e766b281eabb63441c12&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium

Given the above image of said derelict house on newspaper paywall... how many "main living" rooms would there likely be in such a small home?

 

[HinterlandObserver]

View attachment 302364

Have I understood your post correctly?

- Owner of derelict house picked up some letters in main living room addressed to deceased woman.
- Anonymous online tip to renowned private investigator (singular).
- Private investigators (plural) speculate TH "was" buried somewhere so they contact local police.
- Police attended the derelict house.
- Nothing related to TH located in derelict house.

At the top of your post is link to newspaper paywall with... Subscribe for award winning journalism

www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fmissing-backpacker-theo-hayez-tip-leads-to-discovery-in-abandoned-house%2Fnews-story%2F36d915df44a4e766b281eabb63441c12&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium

Given the above image of said derelict house on newspaper paywall... how many "main living" rooms would there likely be in such a small home?

Extraordinary discovery after claim missing backpacker Theo Hayez was buried in Byron Bay bushland | Daily Mail Online

Heres another article with pictures.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

It sound like the person giving the tip might had direct knowledge of what happened to Thea L, since her belongings were found in that house? Hopefully LE is working on this behind the scenes.

Theo's family shouldn't have to go through this roller coaster of "tips..."

 

[ad rem]

 

[Mistyjks]

Where are you Theo?

I just tried to familiarize myself with Theos disappearance, there’s a lot to read here.

I believe I saw someone here comment about the potential of using the mapping app and being confused by the direction provided. I have to comment - about 5 years ago I went to NYC for a concert. We took in a lot of sightseeing, and walked a lot. One time we were looking for a certain landmark and had it entered into a mapping app and results provided for ‘walking directions’. Well for starters it didn’t provide an arrow of what way to go, it was merely a map of streets in whatever radius it scales and the ‘red lit line’ of point A to point B. It also didn’t reflect a stationary turn of direction, we’d have to walk at least 20feet for it to reflect if we’d changed directions - this being the other annoyance, it took quite a distance to reflect movement on the map. Being it was block after block and from each block 4 directions possible, it was absurd. I’d like to think I’m pretty tech savvy but I think we eventually found it, but with little aid from the mapping app.

At the point in Theos travel they felt he ran, well if he used an app that was as crummy as mine - running definitely would have made it more useful because the progress would update faster. But, clearly you’d see rather quickly you’re going the wrong direction.

I also have to speculate he met upon someone at this point - that he then ran away from. They caught up to him when he entered the dense vegetation, and this is the time he lost his hat.

Has anyone (family/LE/PI, etc) speculated WHY they might think he was running? (By choice or from?). It felt odd to me that I saw so many stories and quotes in MSM about the point they felt he started running but that no one ever said why. Granted it’s just speculation for anyone, but it just felt odd to not even include a “from here he started running, but we are uncertain what prompted this” or something of that nature.

Was there any video footage of him after leaving the bar/pub that showed potential of him being drunk? I was surprised to read he was asked to leave because he started showing signs of intoxication - but only after a couple drinks. I take their word for that, they should be subject matter experts on this. I personally feel it’s odd for anyone to have a couple of drinks, even back to back shots and be showing signs of intoxication enough to be asked to leave. UNLESS they had a factor to intensify the alcohol levels (medications?).

Moo

 

[katydid23]

Where are you Theo?

I just tried to familiarize myself with Theos disappearance, there’s a lot to read here.

I believe I saw someone here comment about the potential of using the mapping app and being confused by the direction provided. I have to comment - about 5 years ago I went to NYC for a concert. We took in a lot of sightseeing, and walked a lot. One time we were looking for a certain landmark and had it entered into a mapping app and results provided for ‘walking directions’. Well for starters it didn’t provide an arrow of what way to go, it was merely a map of streets in whatever radius it scales and the ‘red lit line’ of point A to point B. It also didn’t reflect a stationary turn of direction, we’d have to walk at least 20feet for it to reflect if we’d changed directions - this being the other annoyance, it took quite a distance to reflect movement on the map. Being it was block after block and from each block 4 directions possible, it was absurd. I’d like to think I’m pretty tech savvy but I think we eventually found it, but with little aid from the mapping app.

At the point in Theos travel they felt he ran, well if he used an app that was as crummy as mine - running definitely would have made it more useful because the progress would update faster. But, clearly you’d see rather quickly you’re going the wrong direction.

I also have to speculate he met upon someone at this point - that he then ran away from. They caught up to him when he entered the dense vegetation, and this is the time he lost his hat.

Has anyone (family/LE/PI, etc) speculated WHY they might think he was running? (By choice or from?). It felt odd to me that I saw so many stories and quotes in MSM about the point they felt he started running but that no one ever said why. Granted it’s just speculation for anyone, but it just felt odd to not even include a “from here he started running, but we are uncertain what prompted this” or something of that nature.

Was there any video footage of him after leaving the bar/pub that showed potential of him being drunk? I was surprised to read he was asked to leave because he started showing signs of intoxication - but only after a couple drinks. I take their word for that, they should be subject matter experts on this. I personally feel it’s odd for anyone to have a couple of drinks, even back to back shots and be showing signs of intoxication enough to be asked to leave. UNLESS they had a factor to intensify the alcohol levels (medications?).

Moo

About your question, of why he was asked to leave the bar:

Somewhere upthread, there is a post with a good explanation. A woman who used to work at that same bar posted something that rings true to me, since I was a bartender in a tourist town.

She explained that after a certain time of night, they begin charging at the door, and they get large crowds waiting to get in. So any customers that are sitting and not buying drinks or meals---in other words not spending a lot----are sent away, using any possible excuses. [Unless you are a very attractive girl--then you can stay]

I know that is how it worked where I used to bartend.

 

[HinterlandObserver]

Where are you Theo?

I just tried to familiarize myself with Theos disappearance, there’s a lot to read here.

I believe I saw someone here comment about the potential of using the mapping app and being confused by the direction provided. I have to comment - about 5 years ago I went to NYC for a concert. We took in a lot of sightseeing, and walked a lot. One time we were looking for a certain landmark and had it entered into a mapping app and results provided for ‘walking directions’. Well for starters it didn’t provide an arrow of what way to go, it was merely a map of streets in whatever radius it scales and the ‘red lit line’ of point A to point B. It also didn’t reflect a stationary turn of direction, we’d have to walk at least 20feet for it to reflect if we’d changed directions - this being the other annoyance, it took quite a distance to reflect movement on the map. Being it was block after block and from each block 4 directions possible, it was absurd. I’d like to think I’m pretty tech savvy but I think we eventually found it, but with little aid from the mapping app.

At the point in Theos travel they felt he ran, well if he used an app that was as crummy as mine - running definitely would have made it more useful because the progress would update faster. But, clearly you’d see rather quickly you’re going the wrong direction.

I also have to speculate he met upon someone at this point - that he then ran away from. They caught up to him when he entered the dense vegetation, and this is the time he lost his hat.

Has anyone (family/LE/PI, etc) speculated WHY they might think he was running? (By choice or from?). It felt odd to me that I saw so many stories and quotes in MSM about the point they felt he started running but that no one ever said why. Granted it’s just speculation for anyone, but it just felt odd to not even include a “from here he started running, but we are uncertain what prompted this” or something of that nature.

Was there any video footage of him after leaving the bar/pub that showed potential of him being drunk? I was surprised to read he was asked to leave because he started showing signs of intoxication - but only after a couple drinks. I take their word for that, they should be subject matter experts on this. I personally feel it’s odd for anyone to have a couple of drinks, even back to back shots and be showing signs of intoxication enough to be asked to leave. UNLESS they had a factor to intensify the alcohol levels (medications?).

Moo

The running is definitely confusing.
there is no footage public know about after the last shot of him checking his phone after leaving cheekys.

What is also confusing is the frequency he checked back at his maps in relation to Wake Up, his motivation to go elsewhere, and his route to Cosy corner.

One could assume if he intended to get to the Milne track originally, he would have just continued walking all the way up Kingsley st to Massinger st, and Paterson st up to Milne track, instead of running around town first.

IMOO the intention was to walk back to the hostel along Tennyson st, through the walkway at the YAC, up Gilmore cres, through Apex park to the beach and up to Wake Up.

It seems as though he was intercepted by someone or possibly a group at Tennyson from the change in “behaviour” of the phone at least.

 

[Tintenbar]

I think if Theo had intended to go straight back to the Wake up Inn, he would have walked along Johnson Street heading north to reach the main beach and not heading for Kingsley Street nor Tennyson Street. When you've been in Byron Bay for 2 days, you don't need Google Maps to know Johnson Street leads north to the main beach.
So either Theo was in an altered state of consciousness or he had decided to go to another place for a particular reason.

 

[Tintenbar]

The question is : Who did Theo meet around the Byron Bay recreation grounds between Tennyson Street and Cowper Street?