Thea Liddle: Skeletal remains found in Byron Bay search for missing woman

Police have found “skeletal remains” in bushland in Byron Bay during a search for a woman, Thea Liddle, missing since October 2019.

Skeletal remains have been found in Byron Bay bushland during a search for a woman missing since October last year.

NSW Police on Tuesday re-appealed for information into the whereabouts of Thea Liddle, 42, who was last seen in Mooball and was known to frequent other far north coast locations including Nimbin and Byron Bay.

She was reported missing by her family to Queensland Police in January 2020.

Police in the Arakwal National Park near Tallow Beach, Byron Bay. Picture: Liana Turner

Thea Liddle. Picture: NSW Police

She was 42 when she was last seen in October 2019. Picture: NSW Police

Several searches of bushland in and around Byron Bay – “where Thea was known to have been residing in the months leading up to her disappearance” – began on Tuesday.

A police spokeswoman told news.com.au on Wednesday afternoon a crime scene had been established after the discovery near Tallow Beach.

“Skeletal remains were located in bushland near Byron Bay,” she said.

“Officers located the remains about 1.20pm today.

“It is too early to determine if the remains are male or female.

“The scene will be processed by forensic officers which will take a significant amount of time, with police expecting to maintain the crime scene into tomorrow.”

A section of the bushland has been cordoned off. Picture: Liana Turner

The area searched by police. Picture: NSW Police

Superintendent Dave Roptell on Tuesday said at the time of her disappearance, Thea was staying at a rural property in Mooball with a then 46-year-old man.

Detectives have previously searched that property as part of their missing person investigation.

Supt Roptell said they had “fears for her safety”.

“Thea lived a very transient lifestyle – shifting from place to place, changing campsites often and would opt for places in remote bushland away from the public,” he said.

“We are conducting thorough searches throughout these locations for any indication of Thea’s presence there.

Police described Thea Liddle as a nomad. Picture: NSW Police

“It wasn’t uncommon for Thea to travel throughout the far north coast, however, is it unusual for her to go this length of time without speaking to family members.

“As we have said before, we are extremely keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or spoken to Thea in late October or early November 2019, in and around the far north coast of NSW. Any piece of information may assist investigators.”

Thea isn’t the only person missing in the Byron Bay area - Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez was last seen in a local bar in July 2019.