Theo Hayez: $500K reward for information announced

Police have announced a $500,000 reward for information into the disappearance of Byron Bay backpacker Theo Hayez almost three years after he vanished.

Police have announced a $500,000 reward for information into the disappearance of Byron Bay backpacker Theo Hayez almost three years after he vanished.

The 18-year-old has not been seen since security guards ejected him from the Cheeky Monkeys bar around 11pm on May 31, 2019.

He was captured on CCTV leaving the premises alone with Google tracking revealing he used his phone to search for directions back to the Wake Up! hostel, but instead walked in the opposite direction through dense bushland to Tallow Beach.

He took a detour through town, spending several minutes stopping at cricket nets nearby before taking a dark track through thick scrub towards the beach. There, he switched off location services and spent the next hour sending relaxed messages to family and friends before suddenly switching his phone off at 1.02am.

Why he walked to the beach and what happened thereafter has perplexed his family and investigators ever since.

Police were alerted to his disappearance on Thursday 6 June 2019 when he failed to return to his hostel and could not be contacted or located.

Police have announced a $500K reward

for information into Theo Hayez’ disappearance.

Despite extensive searches of the area involving NSW Police, local SES volunteers and the Byron Bay Community, he has never been located.

The only trace of the backpacker located was the grey Puma cap he was wearing that night, which was not found until July 7, 2019. Forensic testing confirmed the cap belonged to Theo.

The official police theory remains that Theo fell from cliffs near the lighthouse at Cape Byron in a case of “misadventure.”

The matter was referred to the NSW Coroner, with an inquest currently underway in the Coroner’s court.

In a fresh bid to solve the mystery surrounding his disappearance, the NSW Government and NSW Police has announced a $500,000 reward for information into his whereabouts and the circumstances around his disappearance.

Deputy Premier and Police Minister Paul Toole said he is hopeful the reward will encourage anyone who is yet to provide information to police to come forward.

“Theo was a young man who had his entire life ahead of him and his family cannot rest until they know what happened to him,” Minister Toole said.

“The pain of losing a loved one is bad enough, but the mystery surrounding this case only adds to that pain.

“Police investigating this case need our help to provide that crucial piece of the puzzle that can bring some comfort to the family and friends of Theo. If you know or think of anything, no matter how small, please phone Crime Stoppers,” Minister Toole said.

Tweed/Byron Police District Acting Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Brendon Cullen, said investigators want to speak to anyone who spoke to Theo on the night he vanished.

“Detectives want to ensure every avenue has been exhaustively examined and we are continuing to ask anyone who had any interaction with Theo after he left that Friday night to contact us.

Theo’s family have issued a statement, thanking the NSW Government and NSW Police for the reward.

“We are very grateful to the NSW Police and NSW Government for their approval of this reward for information,” they said.

“We have tried to reach many people already, in the local community, in Australia and overseas. Our hope with the reward is to reach out to more people as well as motivate people to talk to the authorities and overcome any barriers they might have to doing so.

“$500,000 can change someone’s life. Please, if you have any information that can help us, come forward now, don’t wait any longer.”

Investigations under Strike Force Mulgray continue.