There are two known cases in 1989 and 2014 of people who disappeared, their bodies never recovered, in the sea at Cosy Corner. How a chilling rumour missing backpacker Theo Hayez was buried in Byron Bay bushland led to an extraordinary discovery at a filthy squatter house in a nearby hippie town A private investigator. Theo Hayez inquest: what happened at 1.02am in Byron Bay key to Belgian teen's disappearance. was approaching intoxication". '(But) there was no evidence he was on drugs, or drunk. 'Nazi gold' turns out to be a WW2 bullet and a pair of muddy boots: Hunt for lost loot hidden in Dutch 'I'm no deadbeat dad!' Theo didnt return to the hostel. The streets he walked down were dark. From being born a man to Queen of the Mountains: Trans cyclist romps to victory in elite women's race - CBS 'was LOSING as much as $20 million a year on James Corden's The Late Late Show' where he earned up to Adidas investors sue sports retail giant for 'routinely ignoring' Kanye West's 'extreme behavior' including From breathtaking beaches to epic waterfalls and lost valleys: Fascinating new guidebook bursting with Do YOU live in one of the UK's UFO hotspots? His personal belongings, including his passport, were still in his room. I'm not critical of staff at Cheeky Monkeys but staff have accepted in evidence there were no clear signs of actual intoxication.'. He was responsible and cautious and it would be out of character to attempt something so reckless. A security guard who thought he was swaying ejected him about 11pm. His subsequent decisions would be hard to believe if investigators didnt have Google data obtained by his family, Edwards said. Theos grey PUMA cap was reportedly found in the bushland near Tallows Beach. All times AEST (GMT +10). Significant new details about the night Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez went missing almost three years ago in Byron Bay are expected to be presented when a . Missing backpacker Theo Hayez: Former homicide detective has dark Online sleuths are combing through Instagram and Facebook data, hoping to find any clues about beach gatherings that night. Submissions should outline a mystery and provide a link to a more detailed review of the case such as a Wiki article or news report. Wake Up is one of the nicer hostels in town, located slightly out of the main centre. The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Senior Constable Philip Parker, said "it could be possible" Theo was abducted, but police hadn't "found any information to that regard". down the Queensland coast. After buying two drinks at the bar, Theo was escorted out by security staff at 11PM. They went to the Northern Hotels bottle shop, where CCTV shows them purchasing rose wine at 7:45PM and acting perfectly normal. "We believe thatscenario is not likely, especially the fact that Theo would have been alone, without meeting anyone.". news. They are in town, but there is nothing out there. While some podcasts are privately produced, many are created by investigative journalists within media outlets such as The Daily Telegraph, The Australian, ABC, or SBS. He couldn't recall that text but, with the benefit of hindsight, would ask for that assistance, he said. The daughter of a former tax office deputy commissioner and young mum will spend at least five years behind bars. All rights reserved. Evidence given by Theo's brother Lucas at the close of an inquest this week left Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan weeping, and led herto temporarily adjourn the court. Already getting in the party mood! Both were launched within hours of when the subject was last seen and both people were located quickly. 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What Happened to Theo Hayez? : r/UnresolvedMysteries - Reddit A quick walk from the shuttle parking lot brought them to Cheeky Monkeys a well known backpackers bar. The 18-year-old vanished after leaving the Cheeky Monkeys nightclub about 11pm on May 31, 2019, and CCTV captured him walking in the opposite direction to his hostel located west of the Byron Bay CBD. The decision to kick him out on his own without any chance to tell his friends has caused Hayezs family great distress, she said. It is hard to see any pathway up from Cosy Corner at night at all, it is very dark and dangerous. Sen Const Papworth said the magnitude, logistical considerations and complexity of the Hayez search - which began nine days after he was last seen on May 31, 2019 - made it vastly different to anything he'd ever done before. Australian police conducted searches along with helicopters, drones, cadaver dogs, trackers, divers, and rock climbers. In the early 2000s, it was ranked as one of the most violent bars in Australia and every Byron local you meet seems to have a strong opinion about Cheeky Monkeys. Father of Theo Hayez storms out of Byron Bay coronial inquest as - ABC Despite the efforts of police and volunteers, who combed the bushland, beach and rugged cliffs for signs of Hayez more than a week after he was last seen, nothing but his cap was found. [6], As the case slowed down, the official police theory became that Hayez fell from the cliffs near the lighthouse as a misadventure. [4][5], The Hayez family continued to push the authorities to maintain a focus on the case and to follow up leads. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, An inquest into missing backpacker Theo Hayez's disappearance has concluded, The 18-year-old has officially been declared dead but actual cause unknown, Coroner says the teen either fell off cliffs into ocean or met with foul play, Theo was last seen on May 31, 2019, at the Cheeky Monkeys bar in Byron Bay. Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez dropped into Byron Bay in late May 2019, enticed by the town's unique allure of bohemian life, beautiful surf beaches and a sprinkling of international celebrity glamour. Many of these legislative barriers are inexplicable, and removing them could save lives and help prevent the awful grief of ambiguous loss felt by Theos family and many others, she said. Thanks to her new 16m Harry Potter TV deal, it's JK Rowling who's having the last laugh over trans activists - as friends of the author, 57, say fresh 10-year Warner Bros. agreement is 'vindication' and a sign the 'tide has turned', Father 'crushed to death' in indoor cave at tourist attraction 'was read poem by his daughter' while he lay dying in hospital bed - as previous safety concerns emerge about site where 49-year-old got stuck for four hours. This was prior to a five-hour window when Hayez' mobile phone ceased communicating with the nearest tower. Investigators believe what happened at 1.02am at a Byron Bay beach on 1 June 2019 is the key to determining how Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez vanished. Speaking at the inquest - the same day police announced a $500,000 reward for information in his case - Senior Constable Louis Papworth admitted he had only previously conducted two minor searches before the 18-year-old went missing. He seemingly made a straight shot through, too, which would be virtually impossible without knowing the area. It's better to have a little sugar than any sweetener at all, says Gut Health Guru Dr Megan Rossi. The hostel is at the top left corner of the map (20 minute walk). Key points: His father made a plea to the Australian people to help in the searches; "When I left Belgium I promised Tho's little brother, Lucas, I would bring his brother home, please help me keep my promise to him". Even on busy summer nights, they are far removed from the hustle and bustle of Byron proper, despite being only minutes away. By Andrew Prentice For Daily Mail Australia and Tiffanie Turnbull For Australian Associated Press, Published: 10:25, 23 February 2022 | Updated: 15:50, 23 February 2022. The search began promptly after that, but unfortunately the trail was already growing cold. Halfway up the east coast in the Australian state of New South Wales, Byron beckons travellers from all parts of the world. hostel where Hayez was staying also called the police on that same day, three days after Hayez failed to check out. The Byron Bay community banded together and organised search efforts. Theo's online activity between midnight and 1am, watching a comedy show on Youtube and texting his sister and a friend was 'inconsistent with his feeling afraid or in danger'. He had reportedly been apprehensive about the trip initially, wondering whether it was worth delaying his engineering studies for. There have been many theories about what might have happened to Theo Hayez but with no sign of him since, all that speculation has gone nowhere. I have spent much of the past two years in Byron Bay, and was in town the night Theo disappeared. A former homicide detective believes the 2019 disappearance of Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez in Byron Bay should be treated as suspicious, in lieu of the latest evidence. The last activity on the phone suggests Hayez wasnt in trouble in that moment. This was the last leg of his Australian trip and he was very much looking forward to starting his next chapter of life: university then building a career. It's been two years since Tho Hayez vanished in Byron Bay. Hayez walked in the opposite direction to the route outlined on Google Maps. A podcast called The Lighthouse was recently released by The Australian. 'I've sort of got a belief now that if there's not GPS data, (in my eyes) that area hasn't been searched,' he said. Theo's father Laurent addressed the media this morning. Theo Hayez was one of the many people backpacking through the area. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. The last, puzzling traces left by Hayez came from his phone, which showed the teenager had initially looked up his hostel on Google Maps, but instead walked the other way. They were active in sharing flyers and information about the missing backpacker. Want more local news? But when asked by reporter Tara Brown if she had hope her son would come home, a tearyVinciane replied: 'I don't think so'. Theo Hayez search update as Rip Curl watch identified following his Police were alerted six days later when he failed to return to his hostel and could not be found or contacted. Were working to restore it. NSW Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan handed down her findings on Friday after an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the 18-year-old traveller. Byron Bay, on NSW's far north coast, is the last known stop on his adventure. Late on Monday afternoon, dozens of people gathered on the shore at The Pass in Byron Bay in a vigil to Belgian man, Tho Hayez, who vanished from the Familys worst fears confirmed in Theo Hayez mystery. Tho was reported missing on June 6, sparking a large-scale search involving police, State Emergency Service volunteers, lifesavers, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, dogs, drones and members of the public. Theo Hayez inquest: what happened at 1.02am in Byron Bay key to Belgian 5-min read. The disappearance of Theo Hayez has affected not just his family, but also the Byron Bay community. Hayez's parents, Laurent Hayez and Vinciane Delforge, travelled to Australia to assist in the searches in June 2019. The familys last hope now is that a $500,000 reward announced by NSW Police in February will yield answers in time. Fresh twist in case of missing backpacker Theo Hayez The Disappearance of Theo Hayez Byron Bay is one of the ultimate tourist destinations in Australia, with almost 2 million visitors descending upon this tiny town every year. We also know that Theo made it out of the bushland and onto the beach. Theo Hayez: Gary Jubelin's theory on mystery seven minutes before A coroner has officially declared missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez dead, but cannot say whether he met with foul play and his body was disposed of, or if he fell off the cliffs at Byron Bay when he vanished three years ago. The track is difficult enough to find in the daytime, she said, and at night is extremely dark. Theo Hayez disappeared in May 2019. For those gathered, the vigil offered a moment to reflect on Tho's story, his heartbroken loved ones overseas, and the ongoing search for answers. It is highly likely that if Theo did meet new friends that night, theyd be long gone from Byron with no idea that he disappeared. Revealed: All 76 bank branches that are shutting its doors this month in blow to the High Street with millions of Britons facing longer journeys and waiting times to speak to an advisor in person - is YOURS affected? Majority of British public think Charles should not apologise for slavery, new poll shows, Even most republicans see no benefit in abolishing the monarchy, new polls reveals, LORD ASHCROFT: The monarchy has to change, but the King has time and goodwill on his side. Coroner O'Sullivan hopes a police reward would encourage anyone with information to come forward, and also recommended that police improve their technological skills using Google and Facebook to trace missing persons. The following day, April 2, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension issued an "endangered missing person" alert for Madeline and released her description as 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighs 135 pounds and has brown hair and hazel eyes. Police officially closed their investigation in September 2019, and the case was referred to the NSW Coroner. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Coroner O'Sullivan also said it was 'unusual' that Theo 'walked nearer soft sand in the dune' before climbing through 'rugged bushland for eight minutes'. It is difficult to accept that he ended up at Cosy Corner by mistake, she said. Theo Hayez disappeared on May 31 st of 2019. His phone connected to the Cape Byron cell tower (close to Cozy Corner) at 1:42PM the following day. Controversial NHS Tavistock transgender clinic is threatened with court action by watchdog after failing to 'If I didn't build it, somebody else would've': The Godfather of A.I. Many Australians would describe the town as being pretentious. He also said there was nothing that had"come to light during the investigation" to suggest there was any form of foul play or homicide involved. Halfway up the east coast in the Australian state of New South Wales, Byron beckons travellers from all parts of the world. Google data suggests after being ejected from a bar in 2019, Hayez took a dark track through bushland towards the ocean at times walking quickly or running. Hayezs night began at his hostel, where he shared some goon wine with fellow backpackers before heading into town about 9pm. [8] The absence of a body could be explained by human intervention, being lost in the bush, taken by a shark, or swept away by tides. Theo arrived in Byron Bay on Wednesday May 29th of 2019. 'Nazi gold' turns out to be a WW2 bullet and a pair of muddy boots: Hunt for lost loot hidden in Dutch 'I'm no deadbeat dad!' Joe cast aside his own grandkid to protect his 'It's better than the noise and the dirt of London!' OSullivan told the court the theories that Hayez had taken his own life or staged his disappearance could now be excluded, but she could not either substantiate or exclude the other two main competing theories that he either died alone trying to climb the Cape Byron headland, or was killed by another person, or persons, who disposed of his body. His disappearance remains a mystery and, with celebrity town Byron Bay in the mix, one that has proven irresistible to the media. Lots of love to you beautiful souls.". He wanted to form and continue genuine connections with people, particularly those close to him, and enjoy experiences without drugs and heavy drinking. The intricate, abstract motif is a symbol used in various spiritual traditions as an instrument of meditation. EXCLUSIVE: High-ranking Met Police officer on 100,000-a-year who was found to be a regular user of Police hunt for Brixton killer after woman in her 30s is stabbed to death in broad daylight near O2 Academy. The officer in charge of investigating Theo's disappearance, Detective Senior Constable Philip Parker had 'found walk the scary and intimidating when he attempted it alone at night' and that it was 'unmarked, extremely dark an difficult to find, even in daytime. On 60 Minutes last weekend, Theo's devastated mother, Vinciane, opened up on the toll his disappearance has had on her and their family, saying: 'I think that we will never know but I hope our situation, our story, is helpful to others. The family of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez has identified an accessory the teen may have been wearing at the time of his disappearance. The coroner said that the misadventure theory had Theo falling off the Byron cliffs and his body washed out to sea. Search for Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez led by 'inexperienced' police Disappearance Hayez arrived in Australia in late 2018 on a working holiday visa. His mother, concerned she had not made contact with her son in close to a week, contacted Theo's Victorian-based godparents. If you have any information regarding Tho Hayez's disappearance, please contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000. Catch up with The Loop, Jock Zonfrillo remembered as an 'incredible chef' and influential member of Australia's culinary landscape, Selling the furniture and couch-surfing: Families forced to make 'impossible' decisions amid fears inflation crisis hitting kids, Perfect storm brewing for housing market and it could make buying your own home a pipedream, Family of man shot dead by police question why they weren't called in to help, Clare desperately wanted to stop drinking but she couldn't make it stick. Theo HAD to be with someone that night. He disappeared a week before he was due to fly home to Belgium. Disappearance of Tho Hayez - Wikipedia Using GPS data from the 18-year-olds phone, Gary Jubelin revealed there was a critical seven minutes in which Mr Hayez appeared to have stopped at the local cricket nets. All reports can be made anonymously. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. The pioneering heart operation that only takes an hour and doesn't leave a scar is performed on first Briton. Theo Hayez: 'Potential breakthrough' in disappearance - Yahoo! If you want to go on living, there is a time when you need to stop. The final part of Hayez journey through the bush, where his hat was found, did not follow any natural path and would have been very hard going. It was a volunteer who found the only piece of hard physical evidence, Theo's favourite cap, in bushland near Tallow Beach. Sen Const Papworth also sent teams into the field without GPS devices to log their movements on at least the first - and probably the second - day of the search. Theo's phone has never been found, but his family managed to gain access to his Google account, which provided a "digital data trail" of his movements on the night he disappeared. You can see from the map in the attached link, that the hostel was an easy walk from town. He ended up with stewardship of the search over its first two days despite having no training in a mapping tool that allowed GPS data to be uploaded and searched areas accurately marked. "The likely scenario presented to us by the police is that Tho, after leaving the bar, went along to try toget back to the Wake Up! . Detective Senior Constable Parker told the inquestthe bush track Theo used may have appeared on Google Maps as a more suitable route than it actually was. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/missing-belgian-backpacker-theo-hayez-inquest-what-did-we-learn/100691072, Get breaking news alerts directly to your phone with our app, Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, This man advises his clients that elections, rates and mortgages are invalid, Vaping crackdown to include ban on non-prescription imports, Texas gunman on the run.