Theo Hayez’s last moments before disappearing uncovered
Theo Hayez’s Google account has provided a “digital data trail” tracking what are suspected to be his last moments before his disappearance, an inquest has been told.
Unfortunately, data that may assist investigators in their search cannot be accessed due to a legal technicality with Belgian authorities, a situation described by counsel assisting the coroner as “unacceptable”. Hayez’s family has flown into Australia to attend the inquest, which is expected to run for two weeks.
Hayez was reported missing from Byron Bay in May 2019 after leaving a popular bar late at night. He was last seen leaving the Cheeky Monkeys bar just after 11 pm on May 31, 2019, and the last reliable data point placed Hayez and his phone at Cozy Corner near the Cape Byron cliffs.
The court heard that a working theory from police was that Hayez fell while trying to climb the cliffs and was swept out to sea. “If the working theory is correct … his phone did not go with him because it was still working and transmitting data until about the afternoon of Saturday June 1, 2019,” Ms Edwards, counsel assisting the coroner, said.
Despite extensive searches by SES teams and the police, his body was never found. His fat was recovered in bushland on the route he last took weeks after he disappeared.
Ms Edwards said that location tracking data suggested he walked in the opposite direction of his hostel, but took ‘strange’ routes despite having a map open on his phone.
She also said that investigators were attempting to get a statement and witness from the overseas investigators, but were hindered due to a multinational legal process not occurring. She told the court, “We tried to access that process... but it is not a process available for a missing persons coronial investigation.
“We are stymied, legally, because we cannot access that treaty. Clearly, it’s an unacceptable situation where we cannot get access to what could be critical information about what’s happening that night.”
The inquest, taking place in Byron Bay before State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan, continues.
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