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

[sparks030405]

So sorry to hear that happened Sparks must have been a very frightening experience. Thank you for sharing with us.

Took a while to get over that one! I’m still open to the idea Theo got into a fight on Tennyson and someone else took off with his phone, although they would need to know him passcode to unlock it

 

[SouthAussie]

Do we actually know though that they dug up CC or just surface investigation? I never saw anywhere or in my interactions with persons close to the investigation that they did such an in depth search and recovery at CC? That is my point. It is one thing to walk an area, another to a potential S&R. Also they did not consider homicide, which adds another level to such an investigation in a specific area (which they did not do as they thought death by misadventure at that time). Also while I understand what you are saying, there is no indication any of that in depth digging and search took place at CC (they just dismissed it as misadventure at that time) - my understanding it that it did not and it needs to be done. Cadaver dogs too late and if buried in sand, temperatures were cool back then, like a refrigerator, so scents would be even more limited if detectable at all. I also did not see anywhere where it said the cadaver dogs sniffed out CC at all. Tracks yes, CC did they? Can someone verify? I did not think the dogs searched all of CC and the beach. So either rule it on or out. Dig up CC. It was an area just surface walked. IMO

Perhaps if Theo's family feel strongly that this must be done, they need to contact the local council for permission, and also arrange to pay for digging up Cosy Corner then re-situating all of the sand back in place afterwards.

As Buster said, unless evidence arises that shows that Theo definitely is buried at Cosy Corner, I doubt that a full scale digging operation of the beach will happen.

There are far too many cases like this across Australia. And police resources are limited. Police did a thorough search for Theo for weeks and weeks. No less than they do in other cases.

We get personally invested in some cases. I wish police could search the entire Kendall State forest for little William Tyrrell, never found. But I know they have searched everywhere that they can, and everywhere that they have received tips about. As have the locals.

Same with Leisl Smith, never found. Police searched and searched, and followed all tips and searched some more.

And Jayden Penno-Tompsett, never found ... and so many more ....

After a person's survival period has well passed the searches slowly peter out. It is a sad fact of life, and death. Although the actual investigation stays open and ongoing for quite some time.

 

[sparks030405]

So sorry to hear that happened Sparks must have been a very frightening experience. Thank you for sharing with us.

Took a while to get over that one! I called a lot of people during that time (police, ambulance, partner, parents). I’m still open to the idea Theo got into a fight on Tennyson and someone else took off with his phone, although they would need to know him passcode to unlock it, plus if in danger, and he had his phone, why not call someone. He never called anyone, which may be another reason to believe it wasn’t Theo with the phone at CC

 

[mussopossum]

Do we actually know though that they dug up CC or just surface investigation? I never saw anywhere or in my interactions with persons close to the investigation that they did such an in depth search and recovery at CC? That is my point. It is one thing to walk an area, another to a potential S&R. Also they did not consider homicide, which adds another level to such an investigation in a specific area (which they did not do as they thought death by misadventure at that time). Also while I understand what you are saying, there is no indication any of that in depth digging and search took place at CC (they just dismissed it as misadventure at that time) - my understanding it that it did not and it needs to be done. Cadaver dogs too late and if buried in sand, temperatures were cool back then, like a refrigerator, so scents would be even more limited if detectable at all. I also did not see anywhere where it said the cadaver dogs sniffed out CC at all. Tracks yes, CC did they? Can someone verify? I did not think the dogs searched all of CC and the beach. So either rule it on or out. Dig up CC. It was an area just surface walked. IMO

The volunteers bought dogs up from Sydney and this article says they did do Tallow Beach however not sure where or how much of the beach and if it included CC

Byron Bay locals searching for missing backpacker Theo Hayez bring in specialist cadaver dogs | Daily Mail Online

 

[mussopossum]

Took a while to get over that one! I called a lot of people during that time (police, ambulance, partner, parents). I’m still open to the idea Theo got into a fight on Tennyson and someone else took off with his phone, although they would need to know him passcode to unlock it, plus if in danger, and he had his phone, why not call someone. He never called anyone, which may be another reason to believe it wasn’t Theo with the phone at CC

I have always thought that if Theo felt in danger that he would most likely call someone or knock on doors etc but it doesn't appear that he did and he continued to send messages and nobody was any the wiser. I don't feel he was afraid or like you said the possibility that his phone fell into other hands at some point

 

[SouthAussie]

The volunteers bought dogs up from Sydney and this article says they did do Tallow Beach however not sure where or how much of the beach and if it included CC

Byron Bay locals searching for missing backpacker Theo Hayez bring in specialist cadaver dogs | Daily Mail Online

I am pretty sure that Cosy Corner is considered part of Tallow Beach.

Police divers arrive at Tallow Beach car park at Cosy Corner in Byron Bay to search for missing Belgian teen Theo Hayez.
Divers search water near The Pass for missing backpacker

Cosy Corner, on Tallow Beach, Byron Bay.
How a trip to the beach ended in parent's worst nightmare

 

[Rocket333]

The volunteers bought dogs up from Sydney and this article says they did do Tallow Beach however not sure where or how much of the beach and if it included CC

Byron Bay locals searching for missing backpacker Theo Hayez bring in specialist cadaver dogs | Daily Mail Online

Dogs are still regarded as the best way to locate scents, even buried ones. They’ve done the dogs all over that area. The dogs would’ve found anything there to find.

 

[Rocket333]

Let’s eliminate drugs, including drink spiking for a minute. It’s a popular explanation but there’s no proof.
Suppose he was drug free. Suppose he did travel that exact path. Suppose he had his phone on him the whole time.

Suppose Theo met the unidentified beach camp guy at the oval who talked him into going home via the beach, then lead him there down the fire track and the offshoot beach track, avoiding the known bush residents camp, and exiting out a little known path beside his own camp.
Suppose Theo then headed off on his way home down the beach towards the lighthouse, thinking he’d simply go over or around. He hits CC and immediately ascend the hill hoping he’d be able to just walk up and over. When it doesn’t work he heads back down and explores alternatives. He doesn’t want to return back down the beach, the way he arrived, as he doesn’t want to see beach camp dude again, or try to navigate that same obstacle ridden beach track. So he sits and fiddles with his phone. Then either someone arrives (maybe the beach camp guy), or he attempts to round the ocean side of the cliffs.

I don’t tend to think drugs are involved.
I think they need to identify the dancing girl in CMS (even just to interview & eliminate), and most definitely the beach camp guy. If they haven’t thoroughly searched that camp, they still need to.

 

[Chiatos]

Based on podcast#4 Theo did not run all the way from the end of Tennyson to CC as was previously thought. He was not on the run after all.

I'm starting to think that he might have met the disappeared bloke at Tennyson. He followed him to the beach, to his camp site. Together they skipped Tommy's camp site.

If Theo ended up in the ocean that night, then it must have been without his phone. Otherwise he must have ended in the ocean the next day.

How do homeless in Australia move around? If the bloke has moved elsewhere, how would he have travelled? Public transport? Can the homeless pay the fee? Public transport means plenty cctv?

 

[SouthAussie]

How do homeless in Australia move around? If the bloke has moved elsewhere, how would he have travelled? Public transport? Can the homeless pay the fee? Public transport means plenty cctv?

Yes, I think most likely on public transport ... at least in the cities. They hop on the public transport and hope they dont get checked by a random ticket inspector.
Other than that, I don't think that they travel very far.

To me, it is possible that anyone who may have moved on from the homeless camp may still be in the general area. It may just be in another part of Byron Bay (eg northern sand dunes), or relatively close by.

This recent article says that they live in camps all the way from Fingal to Stockton.
Byron Bay's illegal campers say they're living the 'good life'

 

[Jables333]

I think the one they spoke to was another young camper - the one who left rubbish around the campsite but kept his space clean. Tommy is a second person, and the third one is the one they never spoke to who kept hiding from them then suddenly abandoned the camp. So there were three of them.

I understood that the camper who kept his place clean and left the area outside his camp a mess to deter others moving near to him was camped neat the YAC area. Podcast 4.

 

[Chiatos]

I understood that the camper who kept his place clean and left the area outside his camp a mess to deter others moving near to him was camped neat the YAC area. Podcast 4.

Correct

 

[espirtu pampa]

Homeless :
#1. Articulate man near YAC keeps rubbish around his place so others are kept at bay. (Has a roof now).
#2. Tommy (62y) didn't hear nor see anybody.
#3. Man who disappeared after first search done by the group. I couldn't catch what the lady said except for 'he moved away'. My question : did the police search that place before the group went there ?
#4 Scruffy : guy with young dogs (in Byron)
#5 Zac : general description of night(?) life (Byron)
-------
Somewhere in between interviews of surfers, of a caller and at the end of the Brazilians.

 

[Ag33]

I find it somewhat believable that Theo could have stopped to smoke a joint with someone who offered - and not usually partaking of this he could have become paranoid (as a very small percentage of people are known to do).
This was one theory offered by a local in podcast #4.

However, the thing that keeps drawing me away from drug (of any kind) ingestion - or, at least, draws me away from any related paranoia - is that Theo seemed consistently astute enough to keep his eye on where he was in relation to Wake Up hostel. That, to me, is the sensible side still showing through.

imo

Absolutely. He could have been pressured also into smoking a joint and when the paranoia took place (could have been laced with anything) it could be then that he freaked out and took off down towards Milne street disoriented and for some reason took the opposite turns. Or perhaps he spoke to someone that was there that night earlier during his stay and felt some sort of trust which led him to believe his night can still go on after he could have explained to the perps that he was kicked out of cheeky monkeys. It is reported by family that he is a very sensible young man. So something took place leading up to his walk toward the sports fields. Someone, somewhere knows something. Such a waste of a beautiful life for Theo.
The swell was incredibly dangerous too. From cosy corner, that’s where this mystery ended. It’s so bloody sad that nothing else could lead the investigation further.

 

[Ag33]

Having never taken any drugs, I accepted 1/2 a hash (cookie form) at a party a while back, plus believe drink also spiked. The paranoia escalated thinking everyone was in on an attempt to rape me, wanting/tried to escape but friends held me/locked in room hoping it would pass. I was very focused on just trying to get out of there and back home. Urine tests showed a mix of drugs, more than just what I thought would be in a hash cookie. Even when I got home (picked up by my partner), I tried to sleep with my sneakers on to make a quick escape! I can imagine Theo going through something similar, if not experienced in what to expect, plus everyone reacts differently it seems, such as the guy mentioned in the start of podcast 4

Wow scary experience. Yes, the things that are laced in marijuana and other drugs make the experience so much harder to take control. I believe he could have been pressured into a few drags of one and from there, he became disoriented or another person in the group, led him to the beach. IMO.

 

[mishachilli]

Took a while to get over that one! I’m still open to the idea Theo got into a fight on Tennyson and someone else took off with his phone, although they would need to know him passcode to unlock it

Passcode can be disabled while phone is

Took a while to get over that one! I called a lot of people during that time (police, ambulance, partner, parents). I’m still open to the idea Theo got into a fight on Tennyson and someone else took off with his phone, although they would need to know him passcode to unlock it, plus if in danger, and he had his phone, why not call someone. He never called anyone, which may be another reason to believe it wasn’t Theo with the phone at CC

Dogs are still regarded as the best way to locate scents, even buried ones. They’ve done the dogs all over that area. The dogs would’ve found anything there to find.

Yeah if he was at CC they would’ve found him. In my opinion if his phone ended up pinging off Lawson street the next day then that’s where we should be looking.

 

[mussopossum]

For family members reading this, or people on their behalf, I am sorry. This Theo page was established to help to find your son (not by me of course, new to this). It's been 6 months and listening to the podcasts, I know you have accepted that after all this time he may not return. I truly hope I am wrong. But....

I totally get your post.

One of the things I found/find difficult is posting some of the things that I have thought of and come up with as possibilities and those things were genuine what-ifs but
I know to a Parent or a family member they would be so awful and difficult to read.

I feel for Theo's family and what they are going through. I cant imagine the pain and not knowing.

IMO, I think that they are incredibly grateful for every scenario and possibility that is listed or suggested as so many are trying to help them find their son.

 

[mussopossum]

Took a while to get over that one! I called a lot of people during that time (police, ambulance, partner, parents). I’m still open to the idea Theo got into a fight on Tennyson and someone else took off with his phone, although they would need to know him passcode to unlock it, plus if in danger, and he had his phone, why not call someone. He never called anyone, which may be another reason to believe it wasn’t Theo with the phone at CC

I can imagine it did, however, I am glad that you are ok and that you had people around you to help you.

 

[mussopossum]

I know has been some talk about screen lock and the phones being in a certain situation where the screen lock has not come on and phone is left disabled.

I have an Iphone, it is set to go to screen lock after 5 min.

But the one thing I noticed when I was retracing steps and maps in GM a month ago was that my phone screen would shut off however when I swiped it again after 15 min it did not require a passcode.

When I was listening to podcast on Friday night the same thing happened.

I was on my laptop not touching the phone for an hour almost and when I picked it up to switch off podcast, again it did not ask me for a pin to access the phone.

Also just realized I had Spodify going yesterday for 4 hours non stop which was bluetoothed to my home entertainment system and again the numerous times I went back to shuffle to a different song it did not ask me to put a pin in again.

If my phone is just sitting doing nothing on charge it will ask me for a pin.

This really concerns me.

It seems that if something is running in the background say online radio, netflix, google maps that the phone does not auto-lock.

 

[mishachilli]

I

I know has been some talk about screen lock and the phones being in a certain situation where the screen lock has not come on and phone is left disabled.

I have an Iphone, it is set to go to screen lock after 5 min.

But the one thing I noticed when I was retracing steps and maps in GM a month ago was that my phone screen would shut off however when I swiped it again after 15 min it did not require a passcode.

When I was listening to podcast on Friday night the same thing happened.

I was on my laptop not touching the phone for an hour almost and when I picked it up to switch off podcast, again it did not ask me for a pin to access the phone.

Also just realized I had Spodify going yesterday for 4 hours non stop which was bluetoothed to my home entertainment system and again the numerous times I went back to shuffle to a different song it did not ask me to put a pin in again.

If my phone is just sitting doing nothing on charge it will ask me for a pin.

This really concerns me.

It seems that if something is running in the background say online radio, netflix, google maps that the phone does not auto-lock.

I found the same thing with iPhone 7. Also we don’t know as far as I’m aware how long Theo’s phone was set to stay active between the screen lock activating. With iPhone you can set the intervals. It’s possible that if someone ran away with his phone then the phone didn’t need a passcode to access messenger and YouTube by the time they got to CC. It’s also possible that they knew to keep refreshing maps to keep it active imo.