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

[Karinna]

It also seems a big coincedence that he had been here for 8 months and was due to return the very next week. Was there some news from home he was upset about or did he not want to face something when he got back?

Yes it is very odd. I guess LE would perhaps have more info. but where was TH for most of the time while in Australia? Or did he just go from place to place to check the country out and sight see? Didn't he also have a relative in Australia as well, a cousin or something?

 

[Matlock]

Thanks for clarifying. But a perp. could of had the phone and read TH's previous messages to get the gist of what his conversations were about to family etc. I guess it depends but just another theory.

He appently said something about how he was planning to help his Dad with his band when he got back. Pretty specific. It would have to take a perpetrator a while to get the gist of his calls amd even then it would still be risky to say something that specific because it might not ring true to the person at the other end. Still easier to just say "I'm fine, having a great time, how's everyone back home?" it is still possible though but would have to be someone pretty clever.

 

[katydid23]

He appently said something about how he was planning to help his Dad with his band when he got back. Pretty specific. It would have to take a perpetrator a while to get the gist of his calls amd even then it would still be risky to say something that specific because it might not ring true to the person at the other end. Still easier to just say "I'm fine, having a great time, how's everyone back home?" it is still possible though but would have to be someone pretty clever.

It could have been something he had just talked about, if the perp was someone he knew. Maybe something TH said in conversation , like ' when I get back I am going to help my Dad promote his band' or something---so the perp felt confident texting that...?

 

[simochomps]

It could have been something he had just talked about, if the perp was someone he knew. Maybe something TH said in conversation , like ' when I get back I am going to help my Dad promote his band' or something---so the perp felt confident texting that...?

Or maybe Theo had typed (most of) his message, and after whatever happened the perp just pressed "send". Very unlikely sure, but these are all just theories anyway.

 

[Matlock]

It could have been something he had just talked about, if the perp was someone he knew. Maybe something TH said in conversation , like ' when I get back I am going to help my Dad promote his band' or something---so the perp felt confident texting that...?

Anything's possible. I just looked it up. Apparently he was having a conversation on Facebook Messenger with a friend back home. The conversation was about a band who had plans to tour Australia and/or helping his father who is in the music business. I think it would be hard to fake a conversation like that. But there were Whatsapp messages at some stage of the night, I'm not clear if they were earlier or after the Facebpok Messenger ones?

 

[CuriousCritter]

Anything's possible. I just looked it up. Apparently he was having a conversation on Facebook Messenger with a friend back home. The conversation was about a band who had plans to tour Australia and/or helping his father who is in the music business. I think it would be hard to fake a conversation like that. But there were Whatsapp messages at some stage of the night, I'm not clear if they were earlier or after the Facebpok Messenger ones?

I think it has been said on the Looking For Theo Hayez Facebook group he had only opened the WhatsApp but didn't actually use it

 

[Plunky]

If someone else sent the message they'd most likely be Belgian (or French or Dutch) given the message was sent to someone back home. It seems French is what the family speaks. He wouldn't be messaging them in English. So if there is a perp and he/she sent the message then it would most likely be another backpacker. I really don't think someone else sent the message because, usually in cases where this has happened, messages are sent for a much longer period of time to keep up the pretence the person is still alive.

The Belgian police travelling here has me baffled though as it has a lot of other people. I'm wondering if phone/WhatsApp records show messages sent in French or Dutch (most Belgians speak both languages or have a very good knowledge of their non-mother tongue) to local numbers in the period between leaving CM and the only message the police have mentioned ie the last one sent and the Belgian police came to do a bit of investigating of their own rather than just observing the local investigation. Seems far fetched but they had a real reason for coming here.

 

[gregjrichards]

Dedicated Byron Bay locals are refusing to give up on missing teenager Theo Hayez, with many saying they 'won't sleep' until he is found.

The 18-year-old Belgian backpacker was last seen leaving Byron Bay's Cheeky Monkey's bar at about 11pm on May 31.

Theo failed to return to his hostel by June 6, sparking extensive land, air and sea searches across the popular tourist town.

Dozens of volunteers have given up their time to comb through bushland on the outskirts of Byron Bay, with many searching for Theo since he was first declared missing.

Byron Bay locals refuse to give up on the search for missing backpacker Theo Hayez | Daily Mail Online

I really have a lot of respect for the locals who are still searching for Theo.

 

[mussopossum]

Dedicated Byron Bay locals are refusing to give up on missing teenager Theo Hayez, with many saying they 'won't sleep' until he is found.

The 18-year-old Belgian backpacker was last seen leaving Byron Bay's Cheeky Monkey's bar at about 11pm on May 31.

Theo failed to return to his hostel by June 6, sparking extensive land, air and sea searches across the popular tourist town.

Dozens of volunteers have given up their time to comb through bushland on the outskirts of Byron Bay, with many searching for Theo since he was first declared missing.

Byron Bay locals refuse to give up on the search for missing backpacker Theo Hayez | Daily Mail Online

I really have a lot of respect for the locals who are still searching for Theo.

Especially in this weather. It has rained virtually and nearly every day the last week and on and off since he has been missing. Its cold, wet, damp, still raining today. Im here in my woolies and hot coffee looking out at the fog thinking how lucky we all are to have such dedicated people who are here to help rain hail or shine. Theos family have been blessed with the amazing selfless dedication of an Australian community. I fear IMOO they may never know what happened to their son or find him (i really hope I am wrong) but I feel that the friendships and warmth of the community to Theos father / family are evident and I hope this takes a little of the pain away, knowing that so many are so desperately trying to bring their son / brother home to them.

 

[Aron.Wor]

New to this thread, haven’t gotten to read all the posts yet, but just wanted to say that here in the States many young men leaving bars end up found in the water.

Yes. The smiley face killer theory is related to young men of college ending end in rivers. Fortunately, we have not had a similar situation, to our knowledge in Australia.

 

[Aron.Wor]

Especially in this weather. It has rained virtually and nearly every day the last week and on and off since he has been missing. Its cold, wet, damp, still raining today. Im here in my woolies and hot coffee looking out at the fog thinking how lucky we all are to have such dedicated people who are here to help rain hail or shine. Theos family have been blessed with the amazing selfless dedication of an Australian community. I fear IMOO they may never know what happened to their son or find him (i really hope I am wrong) but I feel that the friendships and warmth of the community to Theos father / family are evident and I hope this takes a little of the pain away, knowing that so many are so desperately trying to bring their son / brother home to them.

Well, the case is getting colder every day. I such a situation, (sorry to mention it again) Occam's razor comes to mind. What is the most simple or obvious scenario? It is not that TH got lost, that's for sure. It's not reasonable. It's not logical. He had a phone-maps. It was Byron Bay, not only a prime location for something like this to happen (people like me have thought this for a long time), it's not an easy place to get lost. He was a long way from dangerous terrain. His phone was at the lighthouse, but it makes no logical sense that TH was at the lighthouse, by himself, after leaving CM heading in the opposite direction of the lighthouse. I saw a post on the last page, someone said TH wasn't a big drinker and didn't do drugs. What do we actually really know? He traveled to Australia alone. Why? Young man, experiencing the world, trying new things with new and different people. Who was TH? What had he been up to for 8 months in Australia previously to BB?

 

[Plunky]

What is the most simple or obvious scenario?

If the Belgian police hadn't travelled here: He found his way to a beach and drowned. Like the two backpackers who went missing at Shelly Beach back in February chances are he'll never be found.

Because the Belgian police travelled here: There are strong suspicions by LE that he has met with foul play. It's anyone's guess as to how and why that could have played out.

The only logical thing to me so far is that if he had had an accident on land within reasonable walking distance of CM in the period before he was reported missing, or he met with foul play in the same vicinity and no effort was made to conceal his body, he would have been found by now given the very long and extensive search by police and volunteers in the area.

 

[Aron.Wor]

If the Belgian police hadn't travelled here: He found his way to a beach and drowned. Like the two backpackers who went missing at Shelly Beach back in February chances are he'll never be found.

Because the Belgian police travelled here: There are strong suspicions by LE that he has met with foul play. It's anyone's guess as to how and why that could have played out.

So, if that were the scenario, he must of gone in fully cloathed, or left his possesions too close to the shore. Remember it was a cold night for BB that night, according to the information I've received. The images show TH in long pants and a hoodie at the bottleshop. The beach down that end of BB has no cliff faces. The lighthouse area does.
Being a smart backpacker, in a location that has had shark attacks in the last few years. The backpackers is near the mouth of a river that leads to the beach, and bull sharks have been known to linger in that location.
Still, that scenario doesn't seem right.

 

[Plunky]

So, if that were the scenario, he must of gone in fully cloathed, or left his possesions too close to the shore.

Remember it was a cold night for BB that night

Being a smart backpacker, in a location that has had shark attacks in the last few years. The backpackers is near the mouth of a river that leads to the beach, and bull sharks have been known to linger in that location.

Still, that scenario doesn't seem right.

In this scenario, you're assuming he went in the water as soon as he got to the beach when it was dark and cold. Maybe he fell asleep for a few hours, woke up and decided to take a swim around dawn or even later? Or he could have been standing at the water's edge and been knocked off his feet and fell in. As for no clothes being found - plenty of people go into the surf fully clothed for a swim and not all of them have their judgement at the time clouded by alcohol/drugs.

He had only been in Byron a couple of days before he went missing so it's quite possible he wasn't aware of shark attacks in recent years or much local history. But, even if he did know people still take silly risks all the time.

As for being a smart backpacker - 18 is very young. Very very young. First year out of school.

 

[SouthAussie]

In this scenario, you're assuming he went in the water as soon as he got to the beach when it was dark and cold. Maybe he fell asleep for a few hours, woke up and decided to take a swim around dawn or even later? Or he could have been standing at the water's edge and been knocked off his feet and fell in. As for no clothes being found - plenty of people go into the surf fully clothed for a swim and not all of them have their judgement at the time clouded by alcohol/drugs.

He had only been in Byron a couple of days before he went missing so it's quite possible he wasn't aware of shark attacks in recent years or much local history. But, even if he did know people still take silly risks all the time.

As for being a smart backpacker - 18 is very young. Very very young. First year out of school.

Woke up where? On the cold beach? We know he didn't make it back to the hostel.

If Theo was at someone else's place, and fell asleep, why hasn't that someone come forward?

Why have no early beachwalkers/dog walkers, braving that chill - if there were any - seen him? Why have no early morning sunrise watchers at the lighthouse or at the beach - again, if there were any - reported seeing him?

Something is very hinky about Theo's disappearance. imo

 

[Oz Jen]

I'm not sure why there are questions around why TH was travelling alone? I know of many young people who have travelled alone, particularly in gap years just like TH. For some, it is a rite of passage, like that first Maccas run after getting their license. He was also meeting up with his cousin from time to time on his travels.

 

[SouthAussie]

I'm not sure why there are questions around why TH was travelling alone? I know of many young people who have travelled alone, particularly in gap years just like TH. For some, it is a rite of passage, like that first Maccas run after getting their license. He was also meeting up with his cousin from time to time on his travels.

I was one of those gap year travellers who did exactly what Theo has done, when I finished high school. Visited a different country, of course, and was responsible as Theo is said to be.

I find nothing unusual in travelling alone at that young, legal age either. I met lots of people my age doing the same as I was doing, on my travels.

 

[mussopossum]

Well, the case is getting colder every day. I such a situation, (sorry to mention it again) Occam's razor comes to mind. What is the most simple or obvious scenario? It is not that TH got lost, that's for sure. It's not reasonable. It's not logical. He had a phone-maps. It was Byron Bay, not only a prime location for something like this to happen (people like me have thought this for a long time), it's not an easy place to get lost. He was a long way from dangerous terrain. His phone was at the lighthouse, but it makes no logical sense that TH was at the lighthouse, by himself, after leaving CM heading in the opposite direction of the lighthouse. I saw a post on the last page, someone said TH wasn't a big drinker and didn't do drugs. What do we actually really know? He traveled to Australia alone. Why? Young man, experiencing the world, trying new things with new and different people. Who was TH? What had he been up to for 8 months in Australia previously to BB?

In my early 20's i traveled to a couple overseas countries on my own. I am very independant and love to do things on my own. I wasnt 18, I was 25 and to this day I still have travelled overseas on my own. One of my reasons was A) I love my own company, B) at a younger age none of my friends ever had any money to travel so It was another reason. I was going to do Africa on my own a few years ago as none my friends could afford it but listened to my gut and didnt do it as felt it was too risky. I also did interstate working holidays on my own and loved meeting so many new people. I met many backpackers in Port Douglas in their early 20s who were also traveling alone and working to see Australia and meet other nationalities whilst they could. If it was his gap year, it may have been all about timing before battening down to study. The only real person who knows Theo is Theo, maybe his family or girlfriend know him but he may have tried or experianced different things here in Australia that he wouldnt normally do. Intentionally or unintentionally. Being overseas having the time of your life sometimes drops the walls of should and shouldnt. Again, maybe if he was under the influence drugs it may not have been by choice.

 

[Plunky]

Woke up where? On the cold beach? We know he didn't make it back to the hostel.

If Theo was at someone else's place, and fell asleep, why hasn't that someone come forward?

Why have no early beachwalkers/dog walkers, braving that chill - if there were any - seen him? Why have no early morning sunrise watchers at the lighthouse or at the beach - again, if there were any - reported seeing him?

Something is very hinky about Theo's disappearance. imo

There are totally reasonable explanations to all the questions you posed. However, as I have said, I feel there is foul play involved given the Belgian police came here.

If they really did only come to observe the local investigation then the logical reason for Theo's disappearance given he had no car, didn't use a taxi or uber to get some place, had no cash on him according to the friend who was with him at CM, used his credit card for the last time at CM and hasn't been found on land despite a huge search is that he is in water. Where else could he be if no-one else was involved? I can't believe he staged his own disappearance.

 

[Plunky]

I'm not sure why there are questions around why TH was travelling alone? I know of many young people who have travelled alone, particularly in gap years just like TH.

I didn't question his travelling at that age - of course lots do - rather the assumption that he was a 'smart' backpacker. We know nothing much about his travels here or elsewhere. We don't need to. The fact is at 18 years old you're much less likely to be able to get yourself out of dangerous/tricky situations as someone even just a few years older. You can't hurry along life skills and life experience. You live and learn.