Australia Australia - Theo Hayez, 18, Belgian backpacker, Byron Bay, June 2019 #3

[SouthAussie]

Do we know the exact period of time the phone signal strength dropped?

Yes, for the period between 2am-6am ... same period as the apparent sleep mode (as stated in 6th podcast).

 

[BusterXP]

1- could Theo’s phone battery have been low and caused the phone to go into low power/sleep mode?

That's always what I've thought - Battery/Power Savings mode. It fits with the last possible charge time, use of the phone including intensive GPS battery use and other factors.

2- could the phone being low cause the weakened mobile signal?

Possibly. I'd think Power Savings would retain as much of a phone signal as possible. I don't know what they specifically do. CPU usage can be throttled. That might relate to lower signal.

3- if hilly terrain can cause a weakened signal, and knowing rain and wind can as well, did it rain heavily at all from 2-6 and/or was there a strong enough wind that could cause the phone to have a weakened signal?

I'd suspect it would be a line of sight issue being up close to the cliff face. 4G has penetration ability but doesn't bounce around as much as higher frequencies. Lost line of sight with no ability for what signal might bounce back might have caused the weak signal.

However just wanted to get clarification again weather a phone that was still on is buried in sand, will it still have a signal, and if so can it be a weaker one?

Possibly. How deep is the question. Would really have to test this or, at least, run it through a formula. Easier to test it. The phone has a reasonable dust penetration prevention rating.

 

[BusterXP]

Yes, for the period between 2am-6am ... same period as the apparent sleep mode (as stated in 6th podcast).

I listened to the Podcast again:

"Some point after Theo went to Cosy Corner signal strength dropped substantially" - Parker when family were called into the Police Station for final briefing.
Police have refused to tell the family ar what time the signal dropped. Belgian Police say the drop in signal was *between* 2am and 6am. They don't say it was for that entire duration.
It's unclear. It isn't reported that they said something like 'for the period between' or similar. *between* could be some time during that period.

 

[SouthAussie]

I listened to the Podcast again:

"Some point after Theo went to Cosy Corner signal strength dropped substantially" - Parker when family were called into the Police Station for final briefing.
Police have refused to tell the family ar what time the signal dropped. Belgian Police say the drop in signal was *between* 2am and 6am. They don't say it was for that entire duration.
It's unclear. It isn't reported that they say something like 'for the period between' or similar. *between* could be some time during that period.

Okay, then we don't know what period according to the interpretation in your post.

 

[BusterXP]

Okay, then we don't know what period according to the interpretation in your post.

After 2am leaves at least an hour that isn't accounted for. He may have been part way up the cliff, or through the bush first, if he did attempt to climb up but an hour seems excessive.
What was he doing during that time?

 

[Deleted member 249471]

1. Low power mode and sleep mode are different. The first is a phone power saving issue. The second is a provider process for reducing the amount of times a phone registers with towers during night time when people sleep.

2. I’ve been doing some research. It turns out weak phone signal or black spots occur when phone is:

- in a valley or low ground close to base of tower (higher ground is ‘casting a shadow’ preventing signal to reach phone)

- under the cover of dense trees

- inside a construction with thick insulation that absorbs signal (concrete, brick) or with exposed metal elements that reflect signal (tin roof, pipes, window tinting)

- in an area close to tower but not in direct path of signal due to antena angle and tilt

- in between towers of same frequency (picks up all the ‘noise’) or in between towers with strong signal competing for phone to connect to.

Alternatively, it could be if sim is damaged or has a lot of dirt on it.

Interestingly, if a sim is put in a different phone, that should not affect signal.

 

[Deleted member 249471]

My theory is that phone moved around 2am into one of the blind spots listed above.

Then before 6am, came out of blind spot and phone was checked, hence ending sleep mode.

... is it possible Theo slept somewhere and did get to see the sunrise?

 

[BusterXP]

... is it possible Theo slept somewhere and did get to see the sunrise?

I think that's possible.
Sunrise I get at 6:30 am on June 1 2019 at Byron Bay.

 

[SouthAussie]

Well, if Theo did see the sunrise from the headlands then I would think that the police theory is likely correct ... or Theo is somewhere in Australia and has decided that he wants to stay.

 

[Rocket333]

Well, if Theo did see the sunrise from the headlands then I would think that the police theory is likely correct ... .

What do you mean? If he saw the sunrise, he’s alive. If police theory is correct, he’s dead. Don’t get it.

 

[Rocket333]

Belgian Police say the drop in signal was *between* 2am and 6am. They don't say it was for that entire duration.

What happened with the signal then at 6am?

 

[BusterXP]

What happened with the signal then at 6am?

I suspect it was in Power Savings mode and died with 5% battery left around 6am. That fits with the last possible charge time and life of the battery given the phone use.
Just enough charge left for it to be started up again later that day and shut off again.
It also fits with lack of Google activity, or reduced activity, for a period of time and with no GPS.
I'm reading 10 hrs 37 mins from full charge. That doesn't say with what use. GPS is a battery killer.
Oppo RX17 Pro review: Long battery life and super-fast charging Review | ZDNet

 

[AJF-Aus]

If the police think he went into the water and was swept away (noting the currents mentioned in the 6th podcast), what’s the explanation for phone ping at 1.42pm next day?

He had an accident and fell into the water but NOT with his phone? Is that a bit far fetched?

Lost phone somewhere then had an accident is two unusual events. And too unusual IMO.

 

[BusterXP]

If the police think he went into the water and was swept away (noting the currents mentioned in the 6th podcast), what’s the explanation for phone ping at 1.42pm next day?

He had an accident and fell into the water but NOT with his phone? Is that a bit far fetched?

Lost phone somewhere then had an accident is two unusual events. And too unusual IMO.

Separated from his phone during the process of having an accident isn't as far fetched. Perhaps carrying it in hand or becoming dislodged from his pocket.
I suspect the phone was found and turned on that afternoon.

 

[AJF-Aus]

Separated from his phone during the process of having an accident isn't as far fetched. Perhaps carrying it in hand or becoming dislodged from his pocket.
I suspect the phone was found and turned on that afternoon.

IMO if you’re climbing a goat track or precarious area you’re not hanging onto your phone. It’s in your pocket. You are being vigilant. I just think ‘accident’ with him gone but not phone is odd.

Edit: AND for it to land somewhere obvious to be found the next day...?

 

[Pod]

Don’t forget Theo also lost his hat that night. I’ve always thought that for him to lose his hat innocently, and then go missing, is too much of a coincidence. Let alone his phone as well.

 

[Pod]

Also, didn’t Antoine claim to have sent Theo a message the next day and said that it went through, which would imply that the phone was still on and had reception?

 

[Rocket333]

IMO if you’re climbing a goat track or precarious area you’re not hanging onto your phone. It’s in your pocket. You are being vigilant. I just think ‘accident’ with him gone but not phone is odd.

Edit: AND for it to land somewhere obvious to be found the next day...?

As someone else here said, he would’ve had to rely on his phone torch to navigate that cliff climb.

 

[Rocket333]

Also, didn’t Antoine claim to have sent Theo a message the next day and said that it went through, which would imply that the phone was still on and had reception?

Just trying to get my head around this.
If I send a text and I’ve got wifi & battery life, it’ll say the text is sent right?
If I send a text and it fails to send, this would be due to me not having reception.
If Antoine had reception, his text will say it was delivered. Right?

 

[Rocket333]

Don’t forget Theo also lost his hat that night. I’ve always thought that for him to lose his hat innocently, and then go missing, is too much of a coincidence. Let alone his phone as well.

Yep.
As they say, if it smells like a rat and looks like a rat, there’s small chance it’s a galah.