Detective Philip Parker who led Theo Hayez investigation at inquest
The Byron Bay police officer who was in charge of the investigation into the 2019 disappearance of Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez has given evidence to a coronial inquest.
Byron Shire
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The detective who led the investigation into Theo Hayez’ 2019 disappearance has given evidence to a coronial inquest.
Detective Senior Constable Philip Parker was the officer in charge of the missing persons case relating to Theo, a then-18-year-old Belgian backpacker who was last seen in Byron Bay on May 31, 2019.
Detective Parker has been present for each day of the inquest and gave evidence on Monday.
Theo was last seen on CCTV on Kingsley Street after being ejected from Cheeky Monkey’s bar about 11pm.
Phone data indicates he walked to the recreation grounds and travelled along part of the Milne Track – which starts near Paterson Street – before diverting into dense bushland.
Theo last sent a message from his phone at 12.55am on June 1 and has not been seen or heard from since.
Detective Parker was not on duty on June 6, the day Theo was reported missing by his family and his hostel, but he took over leadership of the case within days.
Detective Parker told the inquest it was his firm view that Theo was deceased.
He based this on the fact he had not accessed his bank account, there were “no signs of life” in the time since his disappearance and he had made no contact with his family or friends despite his closeness with them.
He told the inquest there was no evidence to suggest Theo had self-harmed or would want to disappear intentionally.
“There is no reason that has come forth to consider that would be a possibility,” he said.
When asked whether there was anything to support suggestions Theo had been abducted or was otherwise the victim of foul play, Detective Parker said while this could not be conclusively ruled out, there was no factual evidence to support it.
“There is just nothing that has come to light in the investigation that can shed any factual evidence (on that notion),” he said.
Detective Parker accepted Theo’s family were of the view it was unlikely he walked to Tallow Beach alone.
But he said investigators had not found any “credible information” to indicate he was with any other person.
“Nothing has come to light that’s credible and factual to that degree,” he said.
Counsel assisting the Coroner, Kirsten Edwards, queried how the police theory stacks up in light of Theo’s character.
The inquest has previously heard evidence Theo was organised, a competent navigator, would not drink heavily and averse to taking risks.
“Do you accept the family’s evidence that it’s an unlikely thing for Theo to have done in light of his character and background?” Ms Edwards asked.
Detective Parker replied: “yes I accept that”.
The inquest heard the detective traced Theo’s track through the bush several times, including at night.
He described it as a “scary” and “intimidating” path.
“You’re not arguing with the notion that it’s hard to understand how anyone, let alone a person who appears to be a cautious person, would undertake that walk alone at night?” Ms Edwards asked.
He responded: “no, not at all.”
The inquest heard Theo’s final recorded bank card transaction was with the purchase of his second and final beer at Cheeky Monkey’s on the night he disappeared.
Detective Parker said the sergeant who had been handling the case before he stepped in prepared a “comprehensive narrative” and officers had undertaken many steps to propel investigations.
“I am impressed with the steps they had taken,” he said.
“I was impressed with how much was being done.”
He told the court the homicide squad was made available to his team early on, and about June 12 or 13 the Tweed Byron Police District requested their help.
But this didn’t mean police assumed Theo had been a victim of homicide at that stage, he said.
“It was an unknown,” he said.
“They (homicide) had been appraised and had reviewed it.
“It was just a request for assistance.”
When Ms Edwards asked whether he believed Theo was trying to reach Tallow Beach, or was lost in the search of his hostel – which was in the opposite direction from Cheeky Monkey’s – Detective Parker said he held a different theory.
“I would be more of the view he was trying to get towards the lighthouse,” he said.
“It’s one of the most popular things to do in Byron Bay and those movements are all in that direction … towards the lighthouse.”
The inquest continues.
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