Investigator reveals new leads in search for Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez

Three years after Theo Hayez mysteriously vanished in Byron Bay, a private investigator has revealed promising new leads have been unearthed.

The mysterious disappearance of Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez had taken a new twist after an investigator claimed “credible leads” have emerged.

The 18-year-old was last seen leaving the Cheeky Monkeys nightclub in Byron Bay at 11pm on May 31, 2019 - three years ago on Tuesday.

He was reported missing on June 6 after failing to arrive in Melbourne. He had not contacted family or friends and never checked out of his accommodation.

The case received widespread national attention with an extensive air, land and sea search launched to find Mr Hayez – but still, little has been uncovered.

Private investigator Ken Gamble on Monday however claimed that since police in February announced a $500,000 reward for significant information, investigations had ramped up.

“I am very thankful to everyone who has provided information. Some investigations are still ongoing,” Mr Gamble said in a statement.

Missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez was last seen in Byron Bay on May 31, 2019.

“The recent $500,000 reward offered by the NSW government has brought forward new leads that are also being thoroughly investigated.

“I am still very hopeful that the case will be solved.”

Mr Hayez’s family remain convinced he was with someone else the night he mysteriously vanished.

“Every day Théo is missing is as difficult as the last as we navigate our endless and ambiguous grief and continue to seek answers to what happened to our boy,” they said in a statement.

“As with all families of missing people, we are unable to properly grieve and heal, as we don’t have a conclusion.

“A key question we are seeking to address is whether he was with someone on the night of May 31, 2019 – which we strongly believe to be the case considering the circumstances.

It’s been three years since the teen vanished.

His family hold out hope they will find answers.

“Walking into the bushland and climbing up the grassy side of the Cape Byron cliff alone at night is something we believe Theo would never have done unless he was with someone at the time.”

The Missing Person’s Registry would continue to “carry out further investigation into Theo’s disappearance” – a move welcomed by the teen’s family.

They also expressed gratitude to Mr Gamble, who had continued “to work with us and investigates all new leads”.

Mr Hayez pictured during his Australian travels.

“Since the reward was announced, we have continued to see people come forward offering information to support the search,” they said.

“We hope that the inquest will allow our investigative team to have better access to data to investigate these leads more thoroughly.”

A coronial inquest in February heard investigators found a mystery person who exchanged WhatsApp texts with Mr Hayez on the night he vanished.

The development at the time was described as a “potential breakthrough”.