Theo Hayez’s family still don’t have answers as they mark the second anniversary of his disappearance from Byron Bay
Theo Hayez’s family still don’t have answers, as they mark second anniversary of the backpacker’s disappearance from Byron Bay.
The father of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez says not a day goes by without thinking of his son, two years after he walked out of a Byron Bay bar and vanished.
Laurent Hayez marked the second anniversary of the tragic disappearance without any firm answers to what happened to his son, last traced through his mobile phone to Cosy Corner, south of Cape Byron Lighthouse.
Mr Hayez, in Belgium, said he hoped to travel to Australia later this year for an inquest into the disappearance and suspected death of the then-18-year-old.
“It has been two years since Theo vanished without a trace. Not a day goes by that we don‘t think of him,” Mr Hayez said.
“We continue to receive heartfelt messages of support from Byron Bay, Australia, Belgium and around the world. These messages mean so much to us and give us strength to go on.”
On Friday May 31, 2019, Hayez left Cheeky Monkey’s bar and instead of making his way back to his hostel, is believed to have walked in the opposite direction through thick bushland in the dead of night to Tallow Beach.
The Australian’s investigative podcast series The Lighthouse revealed his family was able to track his precise movements after hacking into his Google account, before the trail ended at the northern tip of the beach.
Police told the family they suspected Hayez had an accident and fell from the lighthouse cliffs, plunging to his death and being swept away in the currents charging along the coast.
Hayez’s family has previously said there is not enough evidence to rule out other scenarios such as foul play.
NSW State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan is due to hold an inquest in Byron Bay over two weeks from November 29.
A preliminary hearing in December last year was told the case had the power to transform missing person investigations by ensuring better use of technology.
Mr Hayez said the last time the family spoke with the coroner’s team “we were reassured to see how seriously they are going about their work, verifying the investigations carried out by the police”.
“I have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and hope that I will be able to attend the coroner’s hearing which takes place at the end of November,” he said.
“I will be glad to see my Australian family, the incredible community in Byron Bay and, above all, hope that answers will be found to our many remaining questions.”
Hayez’s godfather Jean-Philippe Pector and cousin Lisa Hayez live in Australia and travelled to Byron Bay for a community gathering at The Pass on Monday afternoon.
Local residents arranged to create a sand mandala to mark the second anniversary.
“It’s so tough for us to drive back in Byron and pass all those places that are obviously linked with such pain and emotion,” Mr Pector said.
“But knowing that we are welcomed by that amazing team of volunteers that are still there and are still working with us, and all their love, it makes the whole thing possible for us.
“We are really coming back to our extended family now. It feels like we are part of a really big family.”
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