Crime scene established after human remains found at Sleepy Hollow near Byron Bay

Police are confident human remains found on farmland are not those of a Belgian backpacker who went missing from Byron Bay two years ago.

Police forensic teams are working on farmland near the Sleepy Hollow northbound rest area at the Pacific Highway after human remains were found.

A crime scene was established by police after suspected human remains were found at Sleepy Hollow, 40km north of Byron Bay.

According to a police spokesperson, officers from Tweed/Byron Police District were investigating after suspected human remains were found on farmland at Pottsville Road, Sleepy Hollow.

“The remains will undergo forensic examination to assist with identification,” the police spokesperson said.

“A crime scene has been established and inquiries are continuing.”

The remains are believed to be connected to an vehicle found at a nearby truck stop recently, but police declined to comment on that any further.

However a spokesperson from NSW Police confirmed the remains were not those of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez.

Theo has been missing for more than two years, and was last seen on the night of May 31, 2019, leaving Cheeky Monkey’s bar on Jonson Street at Byron Bay.

“While we have to wait for all forensic testing to be completed, Tweed/Byron Police are confident the remains are not those of Theo Hayez,” the spokesperson said.

Forensic teams have worked in private, rugged farm land behind the truck stop away from the public’s sight to identify the remains.

Sleepy Hollow rest areas are located in both sides of the Pacific Highway.

The rest area, west of Pottsville, provides a large bitumen area with dedicated areas for trucks, caravans and other travellers.