He says he hopes WhatsApp will cooperate with police to decode the messages that Theo last sent - a feat, he says, which could change the course of the search. "Tho arrived in Australia on the 12th of November. Police have secretly conducted new searches around Cape Byron Lighthouse as part of investigations into the disappearance of Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. } A person who was being interviewed said they saw him running down Shirley street and while it can't be ruled out there is conflicting information to suggest it wasn't him. The police kept saying to us, Oh, theres plenty of searchers out there, Ms Healy added. Ms Edwards said one process of "tremendous" value to missing persons investigations wereemergency disclosure requests, which allowed authorities rapid access to datain emergencies. In her opening statementKirstenEdwards,Counsel Assisting the Coroner, said the key questions were whether hewas alone and lostand died by misadventure trying to get back to his hostel,or whether he went to Tallow Beach for a reason. } ()); "I am aware how scary this message is going to be. She said if hehad lost his phone and fallen off trying to find it, it would be possible for his body to be washed away without any evidence. TRUE CRIME: MYSTERIES BEYOND THE VEIL.. THEO HAYEZ, MISSING MAY 2019, BYRON BAY AUSTRALIA. [CDATA[ Fashion disaster! Hi there, welcome to your account and your subscriber benefits, An investigation into the disappearance of a young man in Byron Bay. } 'When I left Belgium I promised Hayez's little brother, Lucas, I would bring his brother home, please help me keep my promise to him', Laurent said on his arrival. The inquest heard that despite how crucial mobile phone data had been in Theo's case, there were significant barriers and time delays that prevented police gaining access. The family of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez have raised concerns that police may have not fully examined a mobile phone similar to the one used by the teen. You lot are a bunch of dogs if you dont tell anyone where he is". But now, since you're not here and we don't know what happened to you, it's very difficult to celebrate this day.'. He was spotted leaving theCheeky Monkey's bar. Olivia Wilde suffers red carpet embarrassment after showing up to the Met Gala in the SAME 'If that happens I'm done, I'm stopping!' We have Tho," the message begins. But police still believe Hayez most likely slipped on rocks at Cape Byron lighthouse and fell into the sea where he was swept away and drowned. In November 2019,The Australian podcast team behind the award-winning podcasts The Teachers Pet and Who the Hell is Hamishreleased The Lighthouse podcast,which investigates the search for Hayez. oldonload(); "Far from us giving up hope or dedication, the main reason is because the ongoing police process means we need to be careful about what we say. Shortly afterwards, hewas having a "light exchange"with a friend in French through Facebook Messenger and watching a clip of a French show he liked, indicating he had possession of his phone and felt safe. ButTheo's family believe he was not aloneand that there must be more to his disappearance. July 12th:Theo's heartbroken father flies home. The Last Person Missing Backpacker Theo Hayez Texted Has Provided New Evidence In An Inquest, Missing Backpacker Theo Hayez' Google Data Was Released & It's Left Us With More Questions, Police To Set Up Reward For Info On Theo Hayez After Inquest Reveals Flaws In The Investigation, A State Coroner Found Missing Backpacker Theo Hayez Is Dead, But How He Died Is Still Unclear, Theo Hayez Father Reportedly Stormed Out Of Inquest During Evidence From Bar Security Guards, Missing Backpacker Theo Hayez Google Data Was Released & Its Left Us With More Questions. }. "It's obviously dark and it's dangerous and Theo's family feel that it is completely inconsistent with the person they know that he would do something like that.". The police and family have this information. On May 31, 2019, the 18-year-old was seen leaving Cheeky Monkeys nightclub in Byron Bay. May 31st 11pm:The last confirmed sighting of Hayez. The coroner's team has interviewed at least 30 witnesses from the night of Theo's disappearance and taken draft statements from 12 backpackers who stayed with him. Homicide detectives join in on the search for Theo. Data indicates direction of travel from Cheeky Monkey was to Tallow Beach via residential streets and through the Arakwal National Park. On the second anniversary of his disappearance, he said: 'I will be glad to see my Australian family, the incredible community in Byron Bay and, above all, hope that answers will be found to our many remaining questions.'. Pictured: Theo Hayez's family pay tribute to the backpacker on his 20th birthday. An anonymous tip claiming missing backpacker Theo Hayez was buried in Byron Bay bushland has led investigators to a dilapidated squatter house where they found a chilling link to a dead woman named Thea. In Theo's case, she said police tried to access Theo's Google account on June 8 and 9, 2019, but could not find a way to make an emergency request, despite consulting with a number of specialist units in the police force. ABC North Coast will deliver a wrap of the week's news, stories and photos every Friday. Theo Hayez's family have shared a touching post to mark the Belgium backpacker's 20th birthday (pictured, left, with his girlfriend). 3. 'The inquest has to be held in Byron Bay because the location is so significant,' Ms Edwards said. if(document.links[t].hasAttribute('onClick') == false) { June 10th: Locals and other backpackers joined in the search for Theo. as well as a list ofthe celebrities and local businesses that have been contacted(Please note: there may be quite a few missing from this list but it will continue to be updated). (Supplied: Cheeky Monkeys) You can use thehashtags #findtheohayez and #theohayez. Loic also reportedly told the inquest that Theo was very responsible usually as well as being pretty physically fit as well.. s = d.createElement('script'); Missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez died when he vanished in Byron Bay and the cause could have been an accident or murder, a coroner has found. Sign up to stay connected. ( function( w, d, s, l, i ) { Kendall Jenner flashes her derrire and TOWERS over her sisters in massive platforms at Met Kylie Jenner looks red hot in a skintight fiery gown with a thigh-high slit and a matching two-toned robe as Met Gala 2023: Here come the Brits! Posted Mon 29 Nov 2021 at 1:17am Monday 29 Nov 2021 at 1:17am Mon 29 Nov 2021 at 1:17am, . During the inquest, Cheeky Monkeys security guardShannon Mackiewas reportedly shown CCTV footage from 11pm on May 31, 2019, the nightTheo went missing, and gave evidence regarding whether or not Theo was in fact intoxicated. More than 18 months later the mystery remains unsolved. At the inquest, police revealed their theory that Hayez clambered up the beachside cliffs, dropped his phone, then fell and was swept out to sea. 'Okay, without being fantastic': Alan Joyce's legacy after 15 years at the helm of Qantas, Man accused of stealing Nick Kyrgios's Tesla and holding his mother at gunpoint refused bail in Canberra court, Teen loses appeal against sentence for hit-and-run killing of Queensland couple and their unborn baby, inquest hasheard from a number of Theo's family and friends, Witness testimony backs theory Hayez's behaviour was 'really weird' the night he disappeared, says family, The father of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez storms out of coronial inquest, Backpacker tells inquest Theo Hayez didn't appear drunk on the night he disappeared in Byron Bay, Chemical bomber who stabbed man out walking dog not criminally responsible for murder, 'Do the humane thing': Folbigg's legal team seeks early parole or pardon for convicted killer, Perfect storm brewing for housing market and it could make buying your own home a pipedream, This man advises his clients that elections, rates and mortgages are invalid, Tasmania set to enter AFL after decades of campaigning, Man in critical condition after gas explosion at Victorian recycling facility, 'Bassam is going to call': Brothers 4 Life leader allegedly used lawyer as go-between in drug ring, Recreational vaping is set to be outlawed here's why and the affect vaping can have on your body, 'Ican't believe it': Australian teen joins elite guest list for King Charles's coronation, Man dies in water tank at property in WA's Wheatbelt, At an average of $6 each, soaring pineapple prices are here to stay. How much extra could mortgage repayments be, now the cash rate is 3.85 per cent? He did not use his swipe key, CCTV has been checked and others staying at the backpackers have been spoken to. Brett Lackey For Daily Mail Australia "Sadly, it could be argued that legislation has not kept pace with these developments in modern technology," Ms Edwards said. // forced if the address starts with http (or also https), but does not link to the current domain Posted Wed 1 Dec 2021 at 3:19am Wednesday 1 Dec 2021 at 3:19am Wed 1 Dec 2021 at 3:19am, . A coronial inquest into missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez has heard there are a number of questions which "hold the key"to the 18-year-old's disappearance. An inquest into the disappearance of Theo Hayez hears the security guard who ejected him from a Byron Bar bar believed he was approaching intoxication. 6 Sep, 2021 05:44 PM 5 mins to read Theo Hayez disappeared in May 2019. Has the poster been shared on different Facebook groups/Instagram? Yes, there has been some involvement and any information has been reported. var all_links = document.links[t]; padding-left: 16px; The tipster claimed to have overheard a conversation at a Byron pub in which two patrons quizzed a man about a missing Belgian backpacker. Ms Edwards said there was a lot of evidence to suggest hewas a competent navigator, and it would have been easy for him to get back to the WakeUp Hostel, where he was staying. 11 talking about this. window.onload = function(){ . change_link = false; She said Counsel Assisting had not been successful in accessing data from hisphone through multi-national companies such as Snapchat and WhatsAppthatcould hold crucial information. In a 15-minute summary of Hayez's disappearance, Ms Edwards recapped facts around the case and concluded digital data was 'critical' in this case and would also be key to solving others. He also asked me (Laurent) if it would be possible to work with me in gardening to earn some money once he was back. His memory of the night was vague so he relied on his police statements which described Hayez as being moderately intoxicated. A private investigator for the family of Hayez, a Belgian traveller who was 18 years old when he mysteriously vanished in the NSWcoastal town two years ago, has probed the online tip for the past 12 months, according to The Australian. The 18-year-old traveller went missing after being ejected from the Cheeky Monkeys bar at 11pm on 31 May 2019. 5. Janelle Mone leads the worst-dressed list at the 2023 Met Gala in BIZARRE nearly-naked frock Boots and booty! Heres what we know so far about the ongoing investigation. She said NSW Police did not have any legislative power to issue search warrants, notices to produce or subpoenas to international companies in missing persons cases. Have the beaches/creeks/rivers etc been searched/is it possible he went for a swim? | LISTEN, Copyright Nationwide News Pty Ltd. All times AEST (GMT +10:00), A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites. In November 2019, the missing backpacker's final text messages were shared after his family gained access to his Google account. So it seems he was coherent enough to send those text messages an hour after leaving the nightclub. func(); A Sucky Investigation, Whats The Best Aussie Froth? Mobile phone data obtained by his family showed that the 18-year-old searched for directions back to his hostel near Belongil Beach, but then travelled in the opposite direction. He makes an emotional plea asking Australia to keep looking for his son and vows to stay in the country until he is found. That wasnt actually the case. Telecommunications expert Professor Aruna Seneviratne also revealed that he had analysed Theos phone data, coming to interesting new conclusions. if(ignore != '' && all_links.href.search(ignore) != -1) { He was last seen leaving Cheeky Monkeys at 11pm when he was asked to leave due to being intoxicated. How do we know he didn't return to the Wake Up! - sunscreen & hat He then took a route along the Milne track through bushland which is not intuitive or sign-posted and would have been extremely dark. var ignore = 'https://imgix.pedestrian.tv'; Hayez's Oppo smartphone had been pinging data back to Google every 15 minutes - but only through the perseverance of his family was the treasure trove of information eventually released. "Please inform his father that he is OK. // He was welcomed and hosted by his Godfather, who lives in Melbourne. Although the telecommunications expert cannot decipher why exactly Theos phone would drop out for five hours, this information reveals that his phone could not have been dropped into the ocean (as many suspect), as it would have stopped transmitting completely. Pregnant singer and baby daddy A$AP Rocky have red carpet to Florence Pugh debuts a SHAVED HEAD at her first Met Gala: Actress creates a buzz with dramatic new look as Baring it all! June 17th: Theo's father Laurent Hayez travels to Byron Bay to help search for his son Theo. The police have requested that anyone with dashcam footage from the late hours of the 31st of May to the early hours of the 1st of June forward the footage on to the police. Post continues after video. authenticate users, apply security measures, and prevent spam and abuse, and, display personalised ads and content based on interest profiles, measure the effectiveness of personalised ads and content, and, develop and improve our products and services. Hill said he reminded staff to be vigilant due to penalties applicable to having intoxicated people on the premises. Ms Edwards said the information from Theo's Google account, which was accessed by his family, had been "transformative" in the investigation and provided crucial evidence about hismovements and actions after he left Cheeky Monkey's. Culdesac in Tempe, Arizona, a model community that combines urbanism with technology, is demonstrating an untapped demand for car-free living. What happened to Alan White from Dallas, TX and Jake Cefolia from Elmhurt, IL? In June 2019, Hayez's father, Laurent, asked encrypted service WhatsApp for help in obtaining his sons messages, which he believes may hold the key to finding him. Theo Hayezs disappearance is investigated in a new podcast by The Australian, as new video emerges. #post-1784265 .brightcove-video-container { It's better to have a little sugar than any sweetener at all, says Gut Health Guru Dr Megan Rossi. Despite launching a desperate search for the backpacker, Theo's family have been left without answers over his disappearance. You can. May 31st 7.45pm: Theo Hayez and an unnamed friend were caught on CCTV camera at a local bottle shop in Byron Bay. The public will be able to view the inquiry into the suspected death of Belgian tourist Theo Hayez on YouTube, set to begin next month. Next he took a dark track through bushland towards the ocean, at points appearing to walk quickly or run. After that, he traveled with three other backpackers to Alice Springs in central Australia, after which he moved north to Cairns. Sign up to stay connected. if (!document.links) { He also had the opportunity to work in a gardening company (like his father, who is a Landscape Architect). An inquest into the mysterious disappearance of Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez will include interviews with 30 witnesses and statements from 12 backpackers. The 18-year-old's suspected death was formally reported to a Byron Bay coroner on September 5 last year but Ms O'Sullivan has taken over the case and is directing police to continue investigations. if(all_links.href.search(/^http/) != -1 && all_links.href.search('www.pedestrian.tv') == -1 && all_links.href.search(/^#/) == -1) { change_link = true; If you have any information on Theo's whereabouts please email Theo's family on theohayezinfo@gmail.com or call +61 474 383 843. Yes, Tho's Uber account was looked into and Taxi services have been contacted. Was he looking for (farm) work while he was here? 'We're not your enemies!' His subsequent decisions would be hard to believe if investigators didn't have Google data obtained by his family. Back in December 2021, Laurent Hayez, Theo Hayezs father, was reportedly seen storming out of a coronial inquest which heard evidence from the security guards at Cheeky Monkeys, where Theo was last seen. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. } At 6.17am, it re-entered reception range and continued to receive data until lunchtime that day - indicating it did not fall into the water. Sometimes patrons are re-assessed outside, but Hayez had not protested as some sober people did who were allowed back in. Media, Maps, Timelines *NO DISCUSSION*, https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw-to-his-byron-bay-hostel-20190608-p51vrb.html, Australia - Australia - Theo Hayez, 18, Belgian backpacker, Byron Bay, June 2019, https://www.brusselstimes.com/news-arching-all-avenues-are-still-being-explored/, When A Person Goes Missing, Communities Are Left Looking For Answers, Leased - 46 Carlyle Street, Byron Bay, NSW - Holiday Holiday Leased. Inquest hears 18-year-old seemed like he was losing his co-ordination prior to being ejected from New South Wales bar in 2019 before vanishing. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/theo-hayez-coronial-inquest-hears-of-legislative-gaps/100676448, Get breaking news alerts directly to your phone with our app, Reserve Bank hikes cash rate to 3.85 per cent as Qantas announces Alan Joyce's successor, Borrowers shocked as RBA announces interest rate rise, Businesses to be forced to pay superannuation on payday, meaning more retirement income for workers, Health minister launches war on vaping, Medicare reforms, Doja Cat, Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman attend Met Gala for fashion's biggest night. Hayez death was accident or murder, not suicide: coroner, Guards wrong call in Hayez disappearance, Hayez family demands mobile phone answers, We tried to help but we were turned away, Breaking rules helped family trace last steps, Missing Theo was just living backpacker life, find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out here. The tip led to another claim that Hayez's belongings had been dumped at a squatter house in Nimbin, a town famous for hippie culture and marijuana use about 65km from Byron. According to hisGoogle Maps data,Hayez had visitedTallow Beach shortly after he left Byron Bay nightclub Cheeky Monkeys where he was last seen on May 31, 2019. Tho had only been travelling Australia for 8 months, so he was not at risk of his Visa running out. The anonymous message was shared to thelooking4theo.com website last year. The beach where Hayez is last known to have been was also the site of illegal late-night parties, which were often frequented by backpackers and young tourists. "Many of you have been wondering about the results of the DNA testing of the hat found in bushland off Tallows Beach on July 7th," the post read. - raincoat Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. ", Vinciane Delforge, Lucas and Laurent Hayez. So far theinquest hasheard from a number of Theo's family and friends, who described him as being averse to risk-taking, heavydrinking and drugs. Theo never returned to the hostel where he was staying and it was not until June 6 - a week after he was last seen - that his family in Europe raised the alarm. That is now the last message that were aware of that Theo sent to someone prior to 1:02am when phone activity ceases, counsel assisting the coroner James Herrington told the inquest. Loics reply at 3:23pm was then sent out but was never completely delivered. Police confess they are still 'baffled' by the case, and are keeping all lines of inquiry open. The second week of the coronial inquest into thedisappearance of Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez will examine the legislative gaps and barriers in obtaining fast access to crucial data in missing persons cases. Even if WhatsApp accessed Hayez's account, they could not have the encryption key needed to read his messages.