Theo Hayez disappearance: Father returns to Australia in bid for answers

Laurent Hayez is back in Byron Bay as the investigation into his missing son continues.

Laurent Hayez, father of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez, at Tallows Beach, Byron Bay, on Monday. Picture: Russell Shakespeare

Laurent Hayez calls it a “nightmare in paradise”.

Just over three months ago his son, Theo Hayez, vanished on a night out in Byron Bay.

Police have said they were baffled by the disappearance of the 18-year-old Belgian backpacker.

As investigations continue, Mr Hayez on Sunday — Father’s Day — returned to the town from his home in Brussels to continue his search for answers.

“It’s a beautiful place. It’s a paradise,” he said on Monday.

“It’s like we are living a nightmare in paradise.”

Volunteers in Byron Bay have been working with the Hayez family, this month bringing in cadaver dogs to search the area around Cape Byron Lighthouse.

“I feel good here because I have a big family here in Australia, especially in Byron Bay,” Mr Hayez said.

“It’s weird because it’s where Theo disappeared. But I feel like home here.”

Hayez went missing on his third night in Byron after leaving Cheeky Monkey’s bar about 11pm on Friday May 31.

Theo Hayez.

He has been tracked to the Cape Byron area via his mobile phone. A signal from the phone was last picked up at 1.42pm on Saturday June 1, but police believed it was in sleep mode.

Theo’s father, Mr Hayez, and mother, Vinciane Delforge, had previously travelled to Byron to assist with search efforts.

They had to return to Belgium without discovering what had happened to him.

Mr Hayez is due to meet with police this week.

“We still have hope. Not a lot of hope, because we are realistic,” he said.

“But we would like to have answers to questions we ask.

“We have an appointment with the police. We hope we will receive answers to the questions we asked them last month.”

Volunteers have been setting up an information desk around Byron to raise awareness and encourage members of the community to pass on leads.

“We spent the morning spreading the word about Theo and chatting with many beautiful locals and travellers,” an update on the Looking for Theo Hayez Facebook page said last week.

“We heard lots of thoughts about the culture of Byron and what people thought may have happened to Theo, as well as receiving some spiritual insights.

“Mostly we were overwhelmed with the love and concern that everybody had for Theo and their wishes for him to be found.”

A family friend said local residents were supporting Mr Hayez during the return visit.

“With very few clues as to what has happened to his son, Laurent returned to Australia yesterday in the hope to find answers,” she said.

“This week he will talk with Byron Bay police and appeal to the public for information.

“If you or someone you know has information that can help, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

Laurent Hayez, father of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez has returned to Australia in a bid to find answers. Picture: AAP

In June, Mr Hayez broke down at a media conference as he called for anyone with information to come forward.

He had promised his son’s younger brother that he would bring Theo home.

He also called on encrypted messaging service WhatsApp to help obtain access to his messages.

“We understand the politics about confidentiality and respect that — however, this is a question of providing assistance to a person in grave danger,” he said at the time.