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

[katydid23]

It is hard to tell why the Belgian police are here. I wish I could work it out.

It is completely not usual for any other police to come and help deal with a potential crime/missing person in another country. When a person travels to another country, it is known that you will then fall under the laws and ways of that country.

The only exception that immediately springs to mind is Scotland Yard's involvement in the case of missing Maddie McCann.

Okay, I am not having a lot of luck in finding the specific case I stumbled on the other day - about police using a tower dump (all the metadata on a mobile phone tower) to help in a murder case.

I can only find, at the moment, a few US and Canadian articles about this type of police action. Not specifically what I was looking for, but it shows how using tower dumps (as opposed to requesting info about one or two specific mobile numbers) is sometimes used.

One article:
How “cell tower dumps” caught the High Country Bandits—and why it matters
Fishing expeditions can pay dividends—but do they need a warrant?
How “cell tower dumps” caught the High Country Bandits—and why it matters


Another article (there are quite a few out there):
“Tower dump” production orders occur when police organizations request the records pertaining to every user whose cellular phone connects to a certain tower or towers. Each tower serves a specified geographical area, and each time a phone connects to that tower, a record is produced identifying the phone that connected, which can then be linked back to the account and account holder. In effect, these records can be used, through tower dump production orders, to identify all users in the geographic area serviced by any particular tower.

In R v. Rogers Communications, the Peel Regional Police obtained a production order against Telus and Rogers as part of the investigation of a string of jewelry store robberies. The order sought production of all of the data from more than 21 Telus towers and 16 Rogers towers.
Tower dump production orders: Restricting police access to cellular records in R v. Rogers Communications - Lexology

It is interesting that you mentioned 'tower dumps' because I was going to answer your previous post---about WHY the Belgian PD would be in Australia helping---by bringing up the 'tower dump' method.

I remember reading about that method during some of the terrorist incidents that took place, where one of them escaped , traveling through Belgium. And apparently they used cell tower dump data to track the guy as he tried to escape an incident in France, through Belgium and eventually caught.

But I can't find those original articles now, in any English publications that I can read. lol

I remember reading about it at the time though---and they were able to take the data from the terrorist attack 'tower dump' and compare it to other tower dumps, finding cell numbers that were in both locations, and tracking the numbers until they could map their escape route.

I dont think I am explaining it very well. But I wondered if maybe the Belgian police were going to try a similar method here, to see who else was nearby when Theo was last seen?

 

[gregjrichards]

Defiant locals refuse to abandon search for Theo Hayez as dozens of volunteers comb bushland in Byron bay for signs of missing backpacker

Volunteers comb Byron Bay bushland for signs of Theo Hayez as locals refuse to abandon him | Daily Mail Online

Thank you to everyone searching and not giving up.

 

[SouthAussie]

It is interesting that you mentioned 'tower dumps' because I was going to answer your previous post---about WHY the Belgian PD would be in Australia helping---by bringing up the 'tower dump' method.

I remember reading about that method during some of the terrorist incidents that took place, where one of them escaped , traveling through Belgium. And apparently they used cell tower dump data to track the guy as he tried to escape an incident in France, through Belgium and eventually caught.

But I can't find those original articles now, in any English publications that I can read. lol

I remember reading about it at the time though---and they were able to take the data from the terrorist attack 'tower dump' and compare it to other tower dumps, finding cell numbers that were in both locations, and tracking the numbers until they could map their escape route.

I dont think I am explaining it very well. But I wondered if maybe the Belgian police were going to try a similar method here, to see who else was nearby when Theo was last seen?

Thanks for that, katy.

I had a look on MSM and found an article that refers to the Belgian police mining metadata in relation to terror related incidents.

Belgian police have in recent days made progress in tracking terrorist telephonic metadata
Brussels Attacks: Authorities Try to Keep Cell Network Up Under Strain

Interesting. Could be the reason for them being here (not suggesting that Theo's disappearance is terrorist related, of course). It is very possible that to do a task as big as reviewing a tower dump we would need extra resources, especially if it is the Belgian police who want this done.

 

[katydid23]

Thanks for that, katy.

I had a look on MSM and found an article that refers to the Belgium police mining metadata in relation to terror related incidents.

Belgian police have in recent days made progress in tracking terrorist telephonic metadata
Brussels Attacks: Authorities Try to Keep Cell Network Up Under Strain

Interesting. Could be the reason for them being here (not suggesting that Theo's disappearance is terrorist related, of course). It is very possible that to do a task as big as this we would need extra resources, especially if it is the Belgian police who want this done.

Yes, right. It would have nothing to do with terrorism. Just cell data technology.

IIRC, there was a team of terrorists that had a batch of burner cells that they used to coordinate their multiple attacks in several places.

LE did data dumps, and had the cells from several dead terrorists, to check against the data dump phone numbers. They were then able to isolate another cell number, somehow they connected it to the ones from the dead guys cells, and they figured out it was the escaped terrorist. Then they did dumps on surrounding towers to find out which way he was headed. Amazingly he kept his cell for awhile, because he didn't think he could track his burner phone.

So in this case, they could do a tower dump, find Theo's cell location at certain times, and see who else shows up. It is time consuming and they have to call lots of numbers, but they can clear them one by one. Some will be neighbours of the tower, some people driving home from work, etc. Eventually they are left with the remaining mystery numbers?

 

[SouthAussie]

Yes, right. It would have nothing to do with terrorism. Just cell data technology.

IIRC, there was a team of terrorists that had a batch of burner cells that they used to coordinate their multiple attacks in several places.

LE did data dumps, and had the cells from several dead terrorists, to check against the data dump phone numbers. They were then able to isolate another cell number, somehow they connected it to the ones from the dead guys cells, and they figured out it was the escaped terrorist. Then they did dumps on surrounding towers to find out which way he was headed. Amazingly he kept his cell for awhile, because he didn't think he could track his burner phone.

So in this case, they could do a tower dump, find Theo's cell location at certain times, and see who else shows up. It is time consuming and they have to call lots of numbers, but they can clear them one by one. Some will be neighbours of the tower, some people driving home from work, etc. Eventually they are left with the remaining mystery numbers?

As well, if they do this for two/several relevant towers they may be able to see if there is another mobile phone that is consistently on the same tower, at the same time, as Theo's phone ... at the relevant times.

Who knows, the Belgian police may even have developed some software that assists them in speeding this whole process up. They seem to have given themselves a window of 10 days of being in Australia.

 

[katydid23]

As well, if they do this for two/several relevant towers they may be able to see if there is another mobile phone that is consistently on the same tower, at the same time, as Theo's phone.

Who knows, the Belgian police may even have developed some software that assists them in speeding this whole process up.

DUH---much faster than my suggested process ...

I don't fully understand this method but it fascinates me. And yes, hopefully they have a quick algorithm based software program to speed this whole thing up.

I do think the Belgians are pretty advanced in this technique because they used it extensively in those recent tragedies.

 

[SouthAussie]

On Sunday Mr Hayez declined to comment further on the official investigation, saying simply that the family "trusts the police".
"Thank you to all of you, thank you to the Australian people," he said.
"A beautiful country, a beautiful people."

Theo's family will remain in Byron Bay indefinitely, she (cousin, Ms Hayez) said.
"We don't plan to go home or anything," she said.
"We'll just see how we go.

Family hope for backpacker missing in NSW

 

[mussopossum]

Sometimes on WS I wonder whether I am sleuthing a case, or sleuthing what cops are sleuthing! Lol

It is a bit like that with this case and the William T case i think.... trying to figure out what the police are thinking / knowing

 

[mangoes999]

hello -
ive been away frm net for a bit- can someone update me if police have offered a national reward for info. yet ? or has a gofundme campaign specifically for a reward been set up?
( i nb reading a civilian lady offered money last week but that hasn't seemed to have had lasting media traction.) namaste chris.

 

[gregjrichards]

'I know they're going to do it': Family of Theo Hayez hold out hope the backpacker will be found nearly a month after he vanished from Byron Bay - as Belgian police join the search

A month later family of Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez hold out hope the teenager will be found | Daily Mail Online

 

[SouthAussie]

'I know they're going to do it': Family of Theo Hayez hold out hope the backpacker will be found nearly a month after he vanished from Byron Bay - as Belgian police join the search

A month later family of Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez hold out hope the teenager will be found | Daily Mail Online

Funny how the Daily Mail says the Belgian police are yet to arrive, and they don't know when they will arrive - yet the foreign paper that I linked yesterday said they have already arrived here. And this preview from the Telegraph also says they have arrived.
I guess the Belgian team may be getting over their jetlag and laying low at the moment - getting ready to start work tomorrow.
The screen shot that I have placed here says that their arrival has invigorated Theo's family.

 

[mussopossum]

Belgian investigators join search for missing backpacker Theo Hayez at Byron Bay

Belgian investigators join search for missing backpacker Theo Hayez at Byron Bay

Belgian investigators and specialist search teams are expected to join NSW Police as efforts to locate missing backpacker Theo Hayez resume in Byron Bay.
The 18-year-old traveller was last seen on CCTV walking through the popular seaside NSW town after leaving the Cheeky Monkey's bar about 11pm on May 31.
There has been no sign of Theo since.

"Sadly we are no closer to knowing what happened to Theo but we will continue to work for the answers that his family so desperately need," Byron Bay's top cop Matthew Kehoe wrote on Facebook late last week.
The Detective Chief Inspector said searches are expected to resume in coming days after bad weather suspended operations over the last week.
Theo's parents separately arrived in Byron Bay earlier this month to join the search.
They fronted media on Sunday to thank volunteers and police for giving them the support they need to continue looking for their son.

Belgian police landed on the weekend and have begun making contact with the family, sources close to the investigation told AAP.
They are expected to accompany NSW Police as observers in searches around Byron Bay in coming weeks.

The two agencies have been working together since Theo's disappearance was reported in early June.
Specialist search teams will soon arrive to search the most rugged terrain around the holiday town, police say.

 

[Seabreeze1]

I really hope they get some answers today.

 

[SouthAussie]

Well, the Belgian officers won't be here very long. This Belgian article says that they are scheduled to return to Belgium on Wednesday.
I have read elsewhere that their trip was scheduled for 10 days.
If it was next Wednesday that they returned to Belgium, that would be more like 10 days. Mighty long trip to make for just a few days.


“Since the start, we have had good cooperation with the Australian police, but mainly by phone. With the distance, the time difference and a different legal system in Australia, it has been quite difficult to grasp everything,” the investigator said.
“Now that we are here, we have a better understanding of things, can pursue our collaboration more efficiently and have answers to our questions,” the investigator continued.
“As with any disappearance, before we find the person, we have no idea what is going on. We work step by step: we follow priorities and close doors. A lot of doors have closed in one month,” he said, without being authorized to communicate on the content of the investigation.
https://www.brusselstimes.com/all-n...veryone-wants-the-same-thing-find-theo-hayez/

 

[gregjrichards]

But he said the lack of progress and endless waiting was like “torture”.

“Every minute seems to last an hour … it’s endless,’ Mr Hayez said.

“We spend an hour where we receive information that gives you hope, and five hours after, this information is denied.

“I take a step forward and two steps back. It is an inhumane torture.”

Mr Hayez said he and Theo’s mother had exhausted themselves with all the possible scenarios their son could have found himself in, from falling in love with someone and running off, to getting in an accident or even being held hostage.

“I believe (Theo is still alive), I’ll never give up,’ he told reporters.

Mysterious fate of tourist who vanished in iconic Aussie town

I’m so sorry Theo’s loved ones are suffering so badly I hope and pray there is a break in the case soon.

 

[gregjrichards]

A security expert who has joined the search for Theo Hayez believes he may still be alive a month after his mysterious disappearance.

The Belgian backpacker has not been seen since he left the Cheeky Monkey's nightclub in Byron Bay on May 31.

Brisbane security expert George Maloukis has spent the last 10 days searching for the 18-year-old, with the help of a drone and his dog Princess.

He has vowed to stay in Byron Bay and remain involved in the search for as long as it takes to find Mr Hayez.

Top security expert and his dog in Byron Bay as search for missing backpacker Theo Hayez continues | Daily Mail Online

 

[SouthAussie]

Sounds as if the police are doing their last physical searches today, on the northern cliffs of the lighthouse.
Though volunteers have vowed to keep searching.
Theo's dad joined the volunteer searchers on Sunday.

The two Sydney investigators that have been there are returning to Sydney - and will continue to work on the case from there.
The Belgian officers are still said to be leaving tomorrow.

The article says that initially it is 80% searching, and 20% tactical investigation, then once the searching is done it reverses and becomes 100% tactical investigation.

Disparition de Théo Hayez : des grimpeurs procèdent aux dernières fouilles physiques de la police à Byron Bay

 

[Aron.Wor]

A security expert who has joined the search for Theo Hayez believes he may still be alive a month after his mysterious disappearance.

The Belgian backpacker has not been seen since he left the Cheeky Monkey's nightclub in Byron Bay on May 31.

Brisbane security expert George Maloukis has spent the last 10 days searching for the 18-year-old, with the help of a drone and his dog Princess.

He has vowed to stay in Byron Bay and remain involved in the search for as long as it takes to find Mr Hayez.

Top security expert and his dog in Byron Bay as search for missing backpacker Theo Hayez continues | Daily Mail Online

Who're the people with the homicide tip line? Are they of official capacity?

 

[Aron.Wor]

Who're the people with the homicide tip line? Are they of official capacity?

What's the Abigail and Libby case got to do with TH?

 

[Aron.Wor]

What's the Abigail and Libby case got to do with TH?

Sorry. I got a bit confused. I think that's just and info thing. I don't know.That article you posted. Such a dedicated person.

A security expert who has joined the search for Theo Hayez believes he may still be alive a month after his mysterious disappearance.

The Belgian backpacker has not been seen since he left the Cheeky Monkey's nightclub in Byron Bay on May 31.

Brisbane security expert George Maloukis has spent the last 10 days searching for the 18-year-old, with the help of a drone and his dog Princess.

He has vowed to stay in Byron Bay and remain involved in the search for as long as it takes to find Mr Hayez.

Top security expert and his dog in Byron Bay as search for missing backpacker Theo Hayez continues | Daily Mail Online

That article is very self-serving and directive.