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

[mussopossum]

Has anyone stood outside the doors to CM and used a navigation app to find the quickest walking route to the lighthouse? Maybe going left down Kingsley was the start of the quickest route. Then maybe down Tennyson (police have asked for footage from here) and the maybe some walking tracks from the end of Tennyson (from the Byron Bay Recreational Grounds) through to Cowper then Massinger and so on. I suppose this has already been looked at and those areas searched thoroughly but at least it would make sense why he turned into Kingsley perhaps. But lets get real, why would someone want to go to the lighthouse at that time and without a buddy or girl or a bunch of mates just on your own? The only reason would be to gaze at the moon and write some nice poetry. Better off going the next day. After a fun BBQ at the hostel earlier and a few happy drinks why would someone want to take a long cold walk to a lonely lighthouse? If he did go on his own on purpose then unfortunately I would worry about his state of mind to do such a thing.

I didn't think to do whilst standing at the door but only in the car. I was more worried at the CCTV on me standing there taking photos and being nosey.

Just put into GM now and walking option. outside CM turn left onto Kingsley then left onto Middleton. Continue walking and turn right onto Lawson. Continue on to Lighthouse road.

Walk south on Jonson St towards Kingsley St

Turn left onto Middleton St, Turn right at roundabout onto Lawson, Continue on to lighthouse road.
50 min (3.6 km)
via Lighthouse Rd

 

[Matlock]

I have visited Byron Bay many, many times for holidays in my teens, 20s, 30s and 40s and know the area well and feel a strong connection with Theo as many do. I have even stayed in a lighthouse cottage once lucky me! Pure speculation, but if I was Theo, aggrieved from being separated from his companions at Cheeky Monkey's (shame on the management practices of that place) not ready to call it a night, and knowing he only had a few days left at the symbolic and actual eastern most point of Australia and, the most beautiful place in our country, I would be drawn to the beach for a stroll to do a little more sightseeing. It was low tide at 12.41 am that night, and we know he headed north-east of the town centre. My feeling is that he is not seen on any more CCTV footage because he was primarily walking along the main beach/coastline and at low tide you can, and I have done, walk on the sand/or part climb the sharp rocks at The Pass/Fisherman's Lookout and if desired, keep going all the way to Little Wategos Beach and then up to the lighthouse. I have sketched up my thoughts on his movements and what likely happened to him. I don't believe he went looking for drugs, was kidnapped or tried to meet up with a stranger, or that he even made it past the rocks at the end of the main beach. The only bad vibe I have seen in Byron Bay town centre was a gang with a baseball bat in one of e carparks late one evening but that was 10+ years ago. As may be the case with Theo, I took many more risks in my teens and twenties. I was strong and fit, would scale the dangerous sharp rocks to get to King's Beach as it was a quicker, shorter route. Body surfing far further out than most, on my own there and anywhere, fighting rips and huge waves. I had my whole childhood and youth to explore and learn how to protect myself and love our natural coastline. Unfortunately for foreign tourists, they will not have this foresight, and a few drinks added to the mix, plus the dark of the night exploring the coastline away from the main beach is not a great idea. I wish and hope Theo is alive but I wanted to let his family know that I can put myself in his shoes and imagine what might have happened that night and if correct, I am sorry for the appalling circumstances that lead to this. See attached Theo Map.pdf file marked up with my thoughts....

So have you actually taken a walk along there that late at night? I had previously questioned if anyone would do this without someone with them but I am female and believe that just about every single woman would not do this but maybe a guy would. I have a beach directly across the road from me where I live in Melbourne and I would only go there at night at the height of summer when it's full of people and it's not even as remote as I imagine the beaches around BB would be. Was there a full moon that night? Because sometimes that can be an attraction to look at the water with the reflection on it. But immediately after partying would your mood suddenly change to want to take a calm, soothing beautiful midnight stroll along a remote beach on your own? It seemed very decisive to turn down Kingsley St. immediately after being kicked out, if he was heading for the beach it's unusual that he would make this decision so quickly as he didn't expect to be kicked out.

 

[insearchoflight]

I have visited Byron Bay many, many times for holidays in my teens, 20s, 30s and 40s and know the area well and feel a strong connection with Theo as many do. I have even stayed in a lighthouse cottage once lucky me! Pure speculation, but if I was Theo, aggrieved from being separated from his companions at Cheeky Monkey's (shame on the management practices of that place) not ready to call it a night, and knowing he only had a few days left at the symbolic and actual eastern most point of Australia and, the most beautiful place in our country, I would be drawn to the beach for a stroll to do a little more sightseeing. It was low tide at 12.41 am that night, and we know he headed north-east of the town centre. My feeling is that he is not seen on any more CCTV footage because he was primarily walking along the main beach/coastline and at low tide you can, and I have done, walk on the sand/or part climb the sharp rocks at The Pass/Fisherman's Lookout and if desired, keep going all the way to Little Wategos Beach and then up to the lighthouse. I have sketched up my thoughts on his movements and what likely happened to him. I don't believe he went looking for drugs, was kidnapped or tried to meet up with a stranger, or that he even made it past the rocks at the end of the main beach. The only bad vibe I have seen in Byron Bay town centre was a gang with a baseball bat in one of e carparks late one evening but that was 10+ years ago. As may be the case with Theo, I took many more risks in my teens and twenties. I was strong and fit, would scale the dangerous sharp rocks to get to King's Beach as it was a quicker, shorter route. Body surfing far further out than most, on my own there and anywhere, fighting rips and huge waves. I had my whole childhood and youth to explore and learn how to protect myself and love our natural coastline. Unfortunately for foreign tourists, they will not have this foresight, and a few drinks added to the mix, plus the dark of the night exploring the coastline away from the main beach is not a great idea. I wish and hope Theo is alive but I wanted to let his family know that I can put myself in his shoes and imagine what might have happened that night and if correct, I am sorry for the appalling circumstances that lead to this. See attached Theo Map.pdf file marked up with my thoughts....

Great post and thanks for the map! I agree with this theory. I think that he wandered about that night and most likely succumbed to the water along the path you marked. His phone could have washed up around the lighthouse area later.

 

[Matlock]

I didn't think to do whilst standing at the door but only in the car. I was more worried at the CCTV on me standing there taking photos and being nosey.

Just put into GM now and walking option. outside CM turn left onto Kingsley then left onto Middleton. Continue walking and turn right onto Lawson. Continue on to Lighthouse road.

Walk south on Jonson St towards Kingsley St

Turn left onto Middleton St, Turn right at roundabout onto Lawson, Continue on to lighthouse road.
50 min (3.6 km)
via Lighthouse Rd

So it didn't tell you to go down Tennyson St? Therefore he didn't use an app to find his way to if he was heading for the lighthouse if the police believe he was in Tennyson. He had to have disappeared pretty quickly after Kingsley because of a lack of footage and sightings (although they may be holding info this point) I think a car that was in Tennyson may be involved. I think someone in an earlier post mentioned the police were looking at cars in Tennyson? If it is the usual practice for someone his age to use an app then he was heading somewhere else, not the lighthouse.

 

[sparks030405]

So have you actually taken a walk along there that late at night? I had previously questioned if anyone would do this without someone with them but I am female and believe that just about every single woman would not do this but maybe a guy would. I have a beach directly across the road from me where I live in Melbourne and I would only go there at night at the height of summer when it's full of people and it's not even as remote as I imagine the beaches around BB would be. Was there a full moon that night? Because sometimes that can be an attraction to look at the water with the reflection on it. But immediately after partying would your mood suddenly change to want to take a calm, soothing beautiful midnight stroll along a remote beach on your own? It seemed very decisive to turn down Kingsley St. immediately after being kicked out, if he was heading for the beach it's unusual that he would make this decision so quickly as he didn't expect to be kicked out.

Not at Byron, always with friends but have been down to Little Wategos for a swim around midnight in summer. It was a cold night and in winter, so no way he went swimming, especially since no clothes or mobile left on shore. I've travelled overseas and taken a chance for the joy of exploring, wondering through an isolated dangerous looking park in Budapest at night in winter in aged around 25-30. Had a police car pick me up aged around 23 to take me back into the 'safe tourist zone' in New Orleans one evening. Byron main beach would always have people walking along it or meeting up after drinking to make a beach fire or smoke some weed, or locals doing some late night exercise. I doubt any or many who know the tides and rocks would venture past the end of the main beach, but as a male on my own, I would have a go because I love exploring new places. I've swum and climbed through Redbank Gorge, NT on my own, come out the other side where it started as a creek. Not many people would do that either, but I was young, strong, adventurous, invincible and determined. I got lost on the way back to the carpark in the dark after sunset, but remembered a dry creek bed at the start of the path to the gorge, found it and followed it. Have also recently been lost in the Blue Mountains on my own looking at a new trail I hadn't experienced before, panicked with low battery at sunset and dogs left in car, but used Google Maps (lucky I had Telstra network coverage), and bush bashed my way up a steep hill to get back to the carpark. Very scary experience - Theo could have gotten lost and panicked and had a fall. He also wouldn't have a clue to turn left or right after being kicked out of a place he's never been before. He obviously checked his phone for directions as seen in the CCTV and turned down nearest street or by Google pedestrian guidance toward the beach, then decided to go for a walk along it, toward the lighthouse.

 

[katydid23]

Not at Byron, always with friends but have been down to Little Wategos for a swim around midnight in summer. It was a cold night and in winter, so no way he went swimming, especially since no clothes or mobile left on shore. I've travelled overseas and taken a chance for the joy of exploring, wondering through an isolated dangerous looking park in Budapest at night in winter in aged around 25-30. Had a police car pick me up aged around 23 to take me back into the 'safe tourist zone' in New Orleans one evening. Byron main beach would always have people walking along it or meeting up after drinking to make a beach fire or smoke some weed, or locals doing some late night exercise. I doubt any or many who know the tides and rocks would venture past the end of the main beach, but as a male on my own, I would have a go because I love exploring new places. I've swum and climbed through Redbank Gorge, NT on my own, come out the other side where it started as a creek. Not many people would do that either, but I was young, strong, adventurous, invincible and determined. I got lost on the way back to the carpark in the dark after sunset, but remembered a dry creek bed at the start of the path to the gorge, found it and followed it. Have also recently been lost in the Blue Mountains on my own looking at a new trail I hadn't experienced before, panicked with low battery at sunset and dogs left in car, but used Google Maps (lucky I had Telstra network coverage), and bush bashed my way up a steep hill to get back to the carpark. Very scary experience - Theo could have gotten lost and panicked and had a fall. He also wouldn't have a clue to turn left or right after being kicked out of a place he's never been before. He obviously checked his phone for directions as seen in the CCTV and turned down nearest street or by Google pedestrian guidance toward the beach, then decided to go for a walk along it, toward the lighthouse.

That is a possible scenario. But we dont know for sure who it was that had his phone when it traveled towards the lighthouse. It might have been as you said, and he decided to walk in that direction.

But maybe someone else had possession of it at that time.

 

[Via Marple]

I have visited Byron Bay many, many times for holidays in my teens, 20s, 30s and 40s and know the area well and feel a strong connection with Theo as many do. I have even stayed in a lighthouse cottage once lucky me! Pure speculation, but if I was Theo, aggrieved from being separated from his companions at Cheeky Monkey's (shame on the management practices of that place) not ready to call it a night, and knowing he only had a few days left at the symbolic and actual eastern most point of Australia and, the most beautiful place in our country, I would be drawn to the beach for a stroll to do a little more sightseeing. It was low tide at 12.41 am that night, and we know he headed north-east of the town centre. My feeling is that he is not seen on any more CCTV footage because he was primarily walking along the main beach/coastline and at low tide you can, and I have done, walk on the sand/or part climb the sharp rocks at The Pass/Fisherman's Lookout and if desired, keep going all the way to Little Wategos Beach and then up to the lighthouse. I have sketched up my thoughts on his movements and what likely happened to him. I don't believe he went looking for drugs, was kidnapped or tried to meet up with a stranger, or that he even made it past the rocks at the end of the main beach. The only bad vibe I have seen in Byron Bay town centre was a gang with a baseball bat in one of e carparks late one evening but that was 10+ years ago. As may be the case with Theo, I took many more risks in my teens and twenties. I was strong and fit, would scale the dangerous sharp rocks to get to King's Beach as it was a quicker, shorter route. Body surfing far further out than most, on my own there and anywhere, fighting rips and huge waves. I had my whole childhood and youth to explore and learn how to protect myself and love our natural coastline. Unfortunately for foreign tourists, they will not have this foresight, and a few drinks added to the mix, plus the dark of the night exploring the coastline away from the main beach is not a great idea. I wish and hope Theo is alive but I wanted to let his family know that I can put myself in his shoes and imagine what might have happened that night and if correct, I am sorry for the appalling circumstances that lead to this. See attached Theo Map.pdf file marked up with my thoughts....

Thanks for the local knowledge. It is also one of the neatest map I have seen on WS!

It could have been what happened to the backpackers at Port Macquarie ..
Devoured by sharks But do you think Theo had fallen into the water, while climbing rocks? Because he didn't leave any belongings behind on the shore.

So have you actually taken a walk along there that late at night? I had previously questioned if anyone would do this without someone with them but I am female and believe that just about every single woman would not do this but maybe a guy would. I have a beach directly across the road from me where I live in Melbourne and I would only go there at night at the height of summer when it's full of people and it's not even as remote as I imagine the beaches around BB would be. Was there a full moon that night? Because sometimes that can be an attraction to look at the water with the reflection on it. But immediately after partying would your mood suddenly change to want to take a calm, soothing beautiful midnight stroll along a remote beach on your own? It seemed very decisive to turn down Kingsley St. immediately after being kicked out, if he was heading for the beach it's unusual that he would make this decision so quickly as he didn't expect to be kicked out.

There was almost no moon that night. I posted a link upthread.

Not at Byron, always with friends but have been down to Little Wategos for a swim around midnight in summer. It was a cold night and in winter, so no way he went swimming, especially since no clothes or mobile left on shore. I've travelled overseas and taken a chance for the joy of exploring, wondering through an isolated dangerous looking park in Budapest at night in winter in aged around 25-30. Had a police car pick me up aged around 23 to take me back into the 'safe tourist zone' in New Orleans one evening. Byron main beach would always have people walking along it or meeting up after drinking to make a beach fire or smoke some weed, or locals doing some late night exercise. I doubt any or many who know the tides and rocks would venture past the end of the main beach, but as a male on my own, I would have a go because I love exploring new places. I've swum and climbed through Redbank Gorge, NT on my own, come out the other side where it started as a creek. Not many people would do that either, but I was young, strong, adventurous, invincible and determined. I got lost on the way back to the carpark in the dark after sunset, but remembered a dry creek bed at the start of the path to the gorge, found it and followed it. Have also recently been lost in the Blue Mountains on my own looking at a new trail I hadn't experienced before, panicked with low battery at sunset and dogs left in car, but used Google Maps (lucky I had Telstra network coverage), and bush bashed my way up a steep hill to get back to the carpark. Very scary experience - Theo could have gotten lost and panicked and had a fall. He also wouldn't have a clue to turn left or right after being kicked out of a place he's never been before. He obviously checked his phone for directions as seen in the CCTV and turned down nearest street or by Google pedestrian guidance toward the beach, then decided to go for a walk along it, toward the lighthouse.

Yes it was likely he was just checking directions and not hooking up with other friends at that point, when he was seen on Cheeky's cctv. He could've just typed in "beach", not thinking of lighthouse immediately. If the phone picked up GPS after he walked a bit along Kingsley, he would then get directions turning into Tennyson instead of Middleton.

But if he was simply lost and got into trouble, the only way that nothing has been found after such extensive searches, is that he had gone into the water. I don't know how that could happen around the headland? And where is that phone?

 

[sparks030405]

Can the family, friends, police please advise the time of the WhatsApp message that Theo sent that mentioned his Dad’s band to help locate on my map? Also, if he made it past the rocks before dead low-tide at The Pass/Fisherman’s Lookout, he would have a difficult time coming back that way after the tide starts to rise. I was at that spot in December with my family, must have been at or close to dead low-tide. The rocks are very hard work and tricky, uncomfortable to climb. Really not an option in the dark and more so without moonlight. We had to play a game of waiting and watching the waves come in, and run as soon as the water recedes, but this only gets you to the next waiting spot (either sand at higher ground in a nook between some rocks, or on a rock). It took 3-5 rounds of this to get around to Wategos Beach. Mindful of this, we had a quick walk to the end of Wategos Beach, and then back the same way. My partner and kids couldn’t have done this without my direction. I can easily imagine Theo walking on the sand in front of the rocks when a wave was receding, then getting unexpectedly smashed into the rocks by the next wave. It gets deep there pretty quickly and the water sweeps around the coast there with strong force. If he made it past, which I’d say he didn’t have the skill to do, and wanted to come back the same route, he’d be caught out by the rising tide and have to climb the rocks, which would be hard work. It would be interesting to revisit this scenario in the dark, close to a new moon (no moonlight), at low tide... any volunteers?

 

[Matlock]

Can the family, friends, police please advise the time of the WhatsApp message that Theo sent that mentioned his Dad’s band to help locate on my map? Also, if he made it past the rocks before dead low-tide at The Pass/Fisherman’s Lookout, he would have a difficult time coming back that way after the tide starts to rise. I was at that spot in December with my family, must have been at or close to dead low-tide. The rocks are very hard work and tricky, uncomfortable to climb. Really not an option in the dark and more so without moonlight. We had to play a game of waiting and watching the waves come in, and run as soon as the water recedes, but this only gets you to the next waiting spot (either sand at higher ground in a nook between some rocks, or on a rock). It took 3-5 rounds of this to get around to Wategos Beach. Mindful of this, we had a quick walk to the end of Wategos Beach, and then back the same way. My partner and kids couldn’t have done this without my direction. I can easily imagine Theo walking on the sand in front of the rocks when a wave was receding, then getting unexpectedly smashed into the rocks by the next wave. It gets deep there pretty quickly and the water sweeps around the coast there with strong force. If he made it past, which I’d say he didn’t have the skill to do, and wanted to come back the same route, he’d be caught out by the rising tide and have to climb the rocks, which would be hard work. It would be interesting to revisit this scenario in the dark, close to a new moon (no moonlight), at low tide... any volunteers?

You'd better be careful Sparks, we might be reading about your disappearance one day and discussing you on Websleuths! It sounds from this post and your previous post that you have taken a lot of risks in your life. Although I think we all have when overseas. It's funny how you take ridiculous risks when you are in another country feeling completely free, probably because you don't have your usual bunch around you to tell you off or keep your sense about yourself. God I even carried a rabid dog in my arms one day, very lucky I wasn't bitten .

 

[Via Marple]

Can the family, friends, police please advise the time of the WhatsApp message that Theo sent that mentioned his Dad’s band to help locate on my map? Also, if he made it past the rocks before dead low-tide at The Pass/Fisherman’s Lookout, he would have a difficult time coming back that way after the tide starts to rise. I was at that spot in December with my family, must have been at or close to dead low-tide. The rocks are very hard work and tricky, uncomfortable to climb. Really not an option in the dark and more so without moonlight. We had to play a game of waiting and watching the waves come in, and run as soon as the water recedes, but this only gets you to the next waiting spot (either sand at higher ground in a nook between some rocks, or on a rock). It took 3-5 rounds of this to get around to Wategos Beach. Mindful of this, we had a quick walk to the end of Wategos Beach, and then back the same way. My partner and kids couldn’t have done this without my direction. I can easily imagine Theo walking on the sand in front of the rocks when a wave was receding, then getting unexpectedly smashed into the rocks by the next wave. It gets deep there pretty quickly and the water sweeps around the coast there with strong force. If he made it past, which I’d say he didn’t have the skill to do, and wanted to come back the same route, he’d be caught out by the rising tide and have to climb the rocks, which would be hard work. It would be interesting to revisit this scenario in the dark, close to a new moon (no moonlight), at low tide... any volunteers?

That sounds perfectly plausible how he might end up in water

Same question - what happened to his phone? Pinging at sea? Inside a certain fish's tummy until it swam away?

I would certainly not attempt this experiment.....

FYI the message about a band IIRC was a FB Messenger message, sent at 12.20 am. See FAQ at LFTH FB group.

 

[Via Marple]

Delete duplicate

 

[sparks030405]

That sounds perfectly plausible how he might end up in water

Same question - what happened to his phone? Pinging at sea? Inside a certain fish's tummy until it swam away?

I would certainly not attempt this experiment.....

FYI the message about a band IIRC was a FB Messenger message, sent at 12.20 am. See FAQ at LFTH FB group.

Thanks. Found it in the ‘Announcements’ section on LFTH FB. It just says ...Theo sent a message to a friend at 12.20am on the 1st of June.
Theo’s phone pinged a tower that encompasses the area from Clarkes Beach to the Lighthouse before 2pm on June 1... so that could just have been Theo’s phone connecting for the last time at 12.20am to send that message from, perhaps, the end of the main beach before he got into trouble/had an accident close to 12.41am low tide. Not what Byron Bay tourism promoters want to broadcast, or that his poor family want to consider, but I’m betting he has drowned and been eaten by sharks From Google search... Sharks feed at dawn, dusk, and at night, ...some species move inshore to feed on fish...

A few other thoughts... From memory, there is a rock ledge above those rocks where the pretty backpacking yogamites like to sit cross-legged and meditate while also sunbaking. Maybe he spotted that too during his first day in town and was drawn back there that evening. It would have a good view back to town and it may even be what the psychics drawing on FB alluded to. Also, he would see on Google Maps Wategos Beach on the other side of the rocks. When I reach the end of one beach, it’s nice to imagine the next one around the corner is even better - and it is in this case. So maybe Theo was just exploring where to spend his next day

 

[sparks030405]

.

 

[sparks030405]

Interesting, I had posted my Theo map.pdf and original comments to the Looking For Theo Hayez Facebook group but it’s not been approved or visible to others

 

[BusterXP]

Can the family, friends, police please advise the time of the WhatsApp message that Theo sent that mentioned his Dad’s band to help locate on my map? Also, if he made it past the rocks before dead low-tide at The Pass/Fisherman’s Lookout, he would have a difficult time coming back that way after the tide starts to rise. I

Ping was up to 2 am the next day. There's no mention that was WhatsApp. I have seen it mentioned that it was known he used/opened WhatsApp but it isn't confirmed that he messaged with someone using it after he left CM.
It hasn't been confirmed what the ping up to 2pm the next day actually was. I thought it might just be an attempt to connect to the tower but I've seen Chloe, his cousin, mention 'Google' once - nothing official. That might (guessing) be why there was a specific focus from Clarkes to Wategoes.
I'm not sure on the state of beach access from Clarke's to Byron at high tide that night except that more erosion has come since. Someone who walks the beach regularly to pick up rubbish photographed the erosion after and said it happened mostly after.

 

[BusterXP]

Interesting, I had posted my Theo map.pdf and original comments to the Looking For Theo Hayez Facebook group but it’s not been approved or visible to others

Approvals there can take some time. There's also been a lot of maps posted in the past.

 

[Morrisa]

This has come through on my twitter feed. I can't read the article though as it is paywalled....


The Courier-Mail
@couriermail
·
24m

One of Australia's leading forensic psychologists has raised the possibility a serial killer is behind the disappearance of three young backpackers on the NSW north coast (link: https://trib.al/Knih7Il) trib.al/Knih7Il #truecrime #murder

 

[sparks030405]

here you

This has come through on my twitter feed. I can't read the article though as it is paywalled....


The Courier-Mail
@couriermail
·
24m

One of Australia's leading forensic psychologists has raised the possibility a serial killer is behind the disappearance of three young backpackers on the NSW north coast (link: https://trib.al/Knih7Il) trib.al/Knih7Il #truecrime #murder

Here is the article - see attached pdf file...

 

[Via Marple]

here you

Here is the article - see attached pdf file...

Thanks... but please don't post the content that way, we are only allowed to link, and quote what we can read for free with paywalled articles.

Try the trusty daily mail instead :

Theo Hayez twist: Claims serial killer may have murdered missing backpacker in Byron Bay | Daily Mail Online

And the "10%" quote from there:

The spokesman said it was 'factually inaccurate' to suggest the disappearances were linked and was 'reckless to the perception of safety in the community.

'The investigations into each of the disappearances have been expertly managed; detectives have not identified any definitive links between the cases, nor any indication of foul play.'

 

[Via Marple]

So basically by replying to the forensics guy, the cops are saying they are NOT thinking of foul play at all. Interesting clarification ...