Missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez’s cousin speaks at Byron Bay event

The cousin of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez has spoken at a community event in Byron Bay.

Relatives and friends of missing Belgian Theo Hayez, including his cousins Lisa Hayes, centre, and Michael Dorkhom, second from right. Picture: Lyndon Mechielse

Lisa Hayez doesn’t know what happened to her missing cousin Theo Hayez, but she knows he’s loved.

As the sun set in Byron Bay on Sunday, Ms Hayez spoke of her lifelong friendship with Hayez at a community event attended by at least 200 people.

“I don’t know where you are but look at all these people you united,” she said.

Hayez vanished in the town during a night out three and a half months ago.

Local volunteers have been relentless in trying to find him, and to find out what happened to him as police investigations continue.

“People who didn’t know each other before united with the same goal, finding you,” Ms Hayez said.

“They never stopped, and trust me they’re not ready to stop, until we know what happened to you.”

Hayez’s godfather Jean-Philippe Pector broke down as he told the gathering that Byron had become like family.

Hayez would himself have been part of the mobilisation for a missing person, an “amazing demonstration of humanity and love”.

After going through an “emotional roller coaster”, Hayez’s father Laurent was unable to attend the event.

“He doesn’t feel strong enough to appear,” Mr Pector said.

“He’s here with us in thoughts.”

Loren O’Keeffe from the Missing Persons Advocacy Network said the community effort to find Hayez was extraordinary.

Ambiguous loss was unique and continual, and she felt their love, commitment and determination.

“I feel your pain. I know your exhaustion,” Ms O’Keeffe said.

Searchers told the gathering that they had been unable to sleep not knowing where Hayez was.

Speaking before an indigenous ceremony, they promised they would continue looking for him, until he was found.

Mr Pector said that from the day Hayez’s family asked the community for help, there had been a “heart warming response”.

Most of the people at the event hadn’t had a chance to meet Hayez, who he described as clever, hardworking and “a wonderful young man”.

“You probably noticed that just by looking at his photo, in his eyes, in his smile.”

The family remained “determined in our quest for answers”.