New hope after new leads in Théo Hayez case
Months after a $500,000 reward was announced, the private investigator searching for answers in the case of missing backpacker Théo Hayez says it has brought on new leads - but Théo’s family still have one question they’d like answered.
“A key question we are seeking to address is whether he was with someone on the night of May 31, 2019 - which we strongly believe to be the case considering the circumstances,” Théo’s family said in a statement.
The Belgian backpacker was last seen at about 11pm on May 31, when he was ejected from the Cheeky Monkeys bar in Byron Bay. Police were alerted six days later, after Théo didn’t return to his hostel, but he couldn’t be found or contacted.
In February, nearly three years after the 18-year-old vanished, NSW Police posted a $500,00 reward for significant information relating to Théo’s disappearance, which the family hope “will yield the answers we so desperately need”.
On Monday, private investigator Ken Gamble said the recent reward had “brought forward new leads” and that he was continuing to investigate “credible leads” on behalf of the family, as reported by 7News.
“I am very thankful to everyone who has provided information. Some investigations are still ongoing,” Mr Gamble said in a statement.
“The recent $500,000 reward offered by the NSW government has brought forward new leads that are also being thoroughly investigated. I am still very hopeful that the case will be solved.”
Théo’s family thanked Mr Gamble for his efforts, as he continues “to work with us and investigates all new leads”, and that they welcomed the news that the Missing Persons Registry would “carry out further investigations into Théo’s disappearance”.
“Since the reward was announced, we have continued to see people come forward offering information to support the search,” they said.
As for someone being with Théo on the night he vanished, the family say it’s the only way his behaviour - which has been pieced together using location data - would make sense.
“Walking into the bushland and climbing the grassy side of the Cape Byron cliff alone at night is something we believe Théo would never have done unless he was with someone at the time,” they said.
The location data gleaned from Théo’s mobile phone connections and Google’s location services was part of the evidence presented to an inquest into his disappearance.
After being ejected from the bar, Théo was tracked to a local sporting field, before he charted a route to the beach below the headland. The data from his phone then shows Théo climbing the steep ascent towards the lighthouse before it stops transmitting.
Police have theorised that Théo climbed up the cliffs, dropped his phone, fell and was swept out to sea, but his family says this goes against his sensible, risk-averse nature.
The inquest, which will resume sitting on June 7, will see the counsel assisting the coroner make their final submissions, with lawyers representing the Hayez family and NSW Police also making submissions.
State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan will then hand down her findings on October 21.
In their statement, the family said they will continue to search for answers.
“Every day Théo is missing is as difficult as the last as we navigate our endless and ambiguous grief and continue to seek answers to what happened to our boy,” the family said.
“As with all families of missing people, we are unable to properly grieve and heal, as we don’t have a conclusion.”
Anyone with any information about Théo’s disappearance is urged to contact the Looking4Theo website or Crimestoppers directly.
Image: Looking4Theo