Australia Australia - Theo Hayez, 18, Belgian backpacker, Byron Bay, June 2019 #2

[Rocket333]

The trail didn't come up for me in my location. So not sure how he would have known was there? Does it come up for you Rocket? I have an Iphone.

But my thoughts are, why would he come down only to go back up again almost instantly? and not just go the way in red (first pic) and up through car park in the trail or not through bush at all and just go onto Tallow and the car park to the trail.

And what you have suggested the second pic in red would have him doing a 360.

This is what I cannot get past, why he would go down to that area then wonder down to the water then nothing.

I still believe he sought this location fro a reason IMO

And I can understand why Theos family believe that he was with someone who knew the area well on that night.

View attachment 217589

View attachment 217590

Yes it did Musso. See image below.

 

[Rocket333]

The trail didn't come up for me in my location. So not sure how he would have known was there? Does it come up for you Rocket? I have an Iphone.

But my thoughts are, why would he come down only to go back up again almost instantly? and not just go the way in red (first pic) and up through car park in the trail or not through bush at all and just go onto Tallow and the car park to the trail.

And what you have suggested the second pic in red would have him doing a 360.

This is what I cannot get past, why he would go down to that area then wonder down to the water then nothing.

I still believe he sought this location fro a reason IMO

And I can understand why Theos family believe that he was with someone who knew the area well on that night.

Theo was looking for home the whole time. He kept his eye on the direction to Wake Up at every given opportunity.

Why he went to the oval is a mystery. Maybe it was purely by accident.
Maybe whomever he met there tricked him into believing he could have simple detour along the beach or via the lighthouse on his way home. “Come and see the lighthouse at night” or “ Walk home along the beach.” So he follows them to the junction but it’s dark and not looking too straightforward, so he pauses and consults his map. They tell him the beach is just down this beach track, so he follows. They stuff up the through path to the beach and have to recalibrate around Tommy’s camp and back onto the beach track. They’re going fast and his hat drops in the dark. They all come out at the beach and he’s now aware of the beach camp and perhaps isn’t feeling so assured of his safety anymore. He hightailed it up the beach to CC only to find a dead end. He scales the hill hoping to find a way up and over, but may be being followed so he takes cover in the scrub for a few minutes. His map shows a trail above him but the dark scrub is too thick and difficult to navigate. So he climbs down and tries to work out how to leave without detection, which means it’s not safe to walk back down the beach the way he came in. He can’t also walk to the car park trail as the people he’s avoiding are or maybe around there. They know he’s trapped and are waiting. He bides his time by doing normal things like respond to messages and check a favourite tv show. He turns background apps off to conserve energy. Eventually he needs to make a move towards home and heads for the car park trail.

 

[feralflower]

This prickly area where it looks like Theo was hiding, assuming he was with a companion could his companion have had something hidden there? Camping gear? I hear a lot of the campers pack up through the days and set up again at night. Could something else be hidden there? Something they walked there for? Also possibly Theo dropped his phone in the dark and searched for it? Though it really appears as already mentioned he was not interested in the beach as he headed to this spot first. Was there something hidden at this spot that gave the reason to walk there? Many possibilities. Drug dealers sometimes hide their stash but if this was the case surely they would not take Theo there. Am not suggesting Theo was after drugs, just tossing over possibilities if there was anything of interest hidden at this spot and then of course is possible too it was just Theo's phone there, not Theo with it. Heading straight to this spot seems to have clues in it.

 

[mussopossum]

Yes it did Musso. See image below.

Ah I didn't do directions just GPS location

 

[mussopossum]

If I was scared and hiding in the bush from someone the last thing I would be doing is being preoccupied by youtube messages etc. I would be so scared I would be listening for everything and watching for everything and not taking my eyes off the darkness in case I saw a torch or a phone light etc and someone coming.

My thoughts are that he went there intentionally and at this point was feeling ok. Its what ever has happened thereafter things have gone wrong.

I could see how his hat could fall off easily.

In the ducking in and out of the bush and branches it would not have been hard for it to be clipped by a vine or branch and fall off.

He likely didnt even notice it fall off especially if there may have been someone walking with him he was following.

 

[mussopossum]

This prickly area where it looks like Theo was hiding, assuming he was with a companion could his companion have had something hidden there? Camping gear? I hear a lot of the campers pack up through the days and set up again at night. Could something else be hidden there? Something they walked there for? Also possibly Theo dropped his phone in the dark and searched for it? Though it really appears as already mentioned he was not interested in the beach as he headed to this spot first. Was there something hidden at this spot that gave the reason to walk there? Many possibilities. Drug dealers sometimes hide their stash but if this was the case surely they would not take Theo there. Am not suggesting Theo was after drugs, just tossing over possibilities if there was anything of interest hidden at this spot and then of course is possible too it was just Theo's phone there, not Theo with it. Heading straight to this spot seems to have clues in it.

You know that is a really valid point.

I never thought of him dropping his phone in the dark and then spending 5 min to search for it.

It was so thick in there with vines etc it would be impossible to set up a camp IMO.

It was also steep so if anyone set up a tent they would roll back down the hill or into the valley part of the hill.

Absolutely there could be stuff hidden in there, I hate to think what, I really do, but yes.

I couldn't see him putting phone in pocket to climb up there as would need to have it out to see where he was going. He could have dropped it climbing over vines and through bush and it turned the screen off so it wasnt lit up anymore when it hit the ground?

Tell you what though in pitch dark be a miracle to find even your feet in there!

 

[sparks030405]

This prickly area where it looks like Theo was hiding, assuming he was with a companion could his companion have had something hidden there? Camping gear? I hear a lot of the campers pack up through the days and set up again at night. Could something else be hidden there? Something they walked there for? Also possibly Theo dropped his phone in the dark and searched for it? Though it really appears as already mentioned he was not interested in the beach as he headed to this spot first. Was there something hidden at this spot that gave the reason to walk there? Many possibilities. Drug dealers sometimes hide their stash but if this was the case surely they would not take Theo there. Am not suggesting Theo was after drugs, just tossing over possibilities if there was anything of interest hidden at this spot and then of course is possible too it was just Theo's phone there, not Theo with it. Heading straight to this spot seems to have clues in it.

The elevated grass area looks flat and protected from view/wind so maybe it's just a place to camp overnight for backpackers, or if there was a door party (apparently they are arranged with short notice - 24 hrs), then a place to retreat to for couples or small groups.

Am thinking Theo heard at WU or CM that Tennyson is the place to go for weed, the guy took him to his stash, and during the walk, said he lives in the bush and gave Theo a tour of his campsite, then Theo goes on alone to CC for the door party or to spoke pot.

Next step really needs to be to interview that homeless guy and find out what he knows and reason for not taking his new tarp when he moved on. With Theo's phone last pinging heading toward Main Beach (finally battery flat), it could be that he woke in the early morning at CC and headed over the ridge. If so, he may have met 'The Judge', or fallen in the water at The Pass.

 

[Rocket333]

Was there any mention of him checking maps during the 5 minutes up the hill?

 

[mussopossum]

Was there any mention of him checking maps during the 5 minutes up the hill?

Not that I recall rocket no.

 

[espirtu pampa]

Put it this way Espirtu,

If I had just come from where he had and could just walk back along the beach in the open and into car park and road to get out why on earth would he want to climb through thick bush infested with lantana snakes and vines.

All he had to do was go back down (as he did) to the beach and walk back the way he came but head to car park. You could clearly see Tallow beach car park in the GPS when I did it and road leading out.

I would liken it to taking a walk along the beach at ease to being in a high-grade obstacle course dense scrub with snakes and other crawlies.

To get out of there you would be climbing through vines, possibly getting scratched by lantana and other plants and bitten by snakes.

The area is steep, in the day time yeah you prob could get out walking at an angle across to the top of it makes sense but at night you would be a fool to do it. Even in the day really.

It makes no sense why he would enter the beach go straight to this area in the bush only to shortcut back up to the road or lighthouse again.

It is like he didnt go there to see the beach if that makes sense, he went for another reason.

IMO if he went to look at the beach he would gone straight to the water when he exit the bush from waling passed the campsites, but as per his map route, he didnt.
I reacon he went there intentionally or with someone who took him there.

If there was no party there that night then why did he go there? Maybe someone under false pretenses said there was and lured him there. Or was there a party we just dont know about

All IMO, what are your thoughts E?

I thought he didn't want to go back the same way because he had run into troubles and trying to escape someone. As you say it is so difficult to clim up there maybe he got catch up by the one he tried to escape from. Thank you for your answer and the time you put into going there and explaining the situation.

 

[mussopossum]

I thought he didn't want to go back the same way because he had run into troubles and trying to escape someone. As you say it is so difficult to clim up there maybe he got catch up by the one he tried to escape from. Thank you for your answer and the time you put into going there and explaining the situation.

Thats a good point, if someone was following him he may not have wanted to go back that way again, especially if he may have had brush ins with the homeless in that area.

I actually slid going up there, well coming back down anyway. Is a bit of loose gravel grass sand you name it so I am lucky the poor sod in front of me was there or would have probably landed on my backside and hurt myself.

And no problem at all Espirtu, I know a few here have been in a few of the locations and it is great that we can all try and get some images and feedback from a visual perspective to help others who cannot get there on foot.

 

[Rocket333]

Does anyone know about this body of water near the beach track and if it’s been searched? I’m sure it would’ve been but just noticed it.

 

[Rocket333]

News articles about doof parties on Tallow from 2017

PHOTOS: For doof's sake, make them stop

Beach confrontation over dance party

 

[Chiatos]

Does anyone know about this body of water near the beach track and if it’s been searched? I’m sure it would’ve been but just noticed it.

I haven't found any items or images about searching the arakwal wetlands, other than that SES promised to do so.
Bilongwil creek however, has been searched: Byron community won't give up on Theo Hayez

 

[mussopossum]

Does anyone know about this body of water near the beach track and if it’s been searched? I’m sure it would’ve been but just noticed it.

What map is that Rocket as Im not getting anything on mine? Just trying to do some searching on the searches

 

[mussopossum]

Does anyone know about this body of water near the beach track and if it’s been searched? I’m sure it would’ve been but just noticed it.

Just asked and it appears to be part of Cibum Margil swamp. Apparently it was rather dry back then according to a local but that is unconfirmed

 

[Rocket333]

What map is that Rocket as Im not getting anything on mine? Just trying to do some searching on the searches

It’s from a topographical app called “Rever” Musso. Here’s another one from a Byron website.

 

[Ann764]

I think he was spiked at CM hence disorientated. Kept typing in WUH . Probably couldn’t focus on maps. Then saw group at tennison st . Asked perhaps for assistance. They saw an easy target. Took him on a wild goose chase .knew the area. Hence tommy camp etc and all the secret tracks. Theo obviously was unsure as he stopped to try and check map twice. But very confused. Had trusted he was been lead back to WUH . Perhaps the person knew the spot well in the vines etc. and took Theo there offered him a drink which could have laced. As the people/ person he was trusting thought it was a huge joke because they were off there heads. And watching Theo all over the place they thought entertainment. They then sat at beach bit of rest. They may have smoked something etc. so Theo got on phone feeling al was going to be ok. Had a laugh etc. then once they were reveved up again. After smoking. They then wanted to continue their fun . But Theo May have not wanted to carry on. He knew he was the but of the joke but now lost and totally disoriented. And well something terrible happens. Accidentally pushing him , who knows grabbing his phone so he couldn’t use it . And he slipped fell. Hence phone was in someone’s hand in the morning. Then when they actually came down the next day and actually realise what they had done. Chucked the phone away ocean.
The wk between offical search brought them time and confidence that no one had an idea so swore not to talk. If he had been reported missing the following day I bet different outcome.
Also a lot of cameras wipe after 24 hours. Also try and remember what you did or saw a week ago. Few could remember.

 

[Ann764]

Theo May have started coming back to reality after big walk run hence normal messages. But now he was stuck with some randoms. After running through the bush he would have been thinking where am I. They say well show you a short cut . This time we promise. Up the steap hill to the car park. He may not have totally trusted them after all the games and run around and just wanted to get back to WUH. Once finished message and they back high. ( not Theo) he may have wanted to check they were telling the truth. So goes to look it up on phone. That’s when they grab it off him (sleep mode activated) no maps on etc. he then had to try and get phone back and follows them up the cliff area. But he doesn’t know the area. Slipped/ got in a scuffle trying to get phone gets pushed . And that’s that

 

[Ann764]

Can’t they track any phones in the same vacinity and path as his.