$500,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION

The NSW government has announced a $500,000 reward for information about the disappearance of Theo Hayez. If you have any information that can help us, come forward now, don't wait any longer.

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$500,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION

Théo Hayez

Last seen Friday 31st May 2019 at 11pm leaving Cheeky Monkeys bar on Johnson Street, Byron Bay. Data indicates direction of travel from Cheeky Monkey’s was to Tallow Beach via residential streets and through the Arakwal National Park.
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Théo is a Belgian young man who was 18-year-old at the time he went missing. He was last seen Friday 31st May 2019 at 11pm leaving Cheeky Monkey’s bar on Johnson Street, Byron Bay. Data indicates direction of travel from Cheeky Monkey was to Tallow Beach via residential streets and through the Arakwal National Park. Despite an ongoing investigation by Byron Bay police, the circumstances of his disappearance are still unclear. Since then, the family and very dedicated members of the Byron Bay community have been working tirelessly to spread the word of Théo’s disappearance and to try to find answers to the mystery surrounding it.

"Théo told us he couldn't wait to come back to Belgium"

Théo spent 6 and a half months in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa and was planning to go back in Belgium before the end of his visa to start preparing his university studies in engineering. Although he enjoyed traveling and working around Australia, he was impatient to return in Belgium to his family and friends.
Looking for Théo Hayez

Frequently asked questions

The Australian podcast 'The Lighthouse' also provides answers to these questions and more! You can find it here

What was Théo wearing?
A grey cap with a white puma logo
A black hoodie with a kangaroo pouch and a white design on the front
A black watch
Tan pants
Completely black running shoes (most probably Adidas)

For pictures of these, please download this poster
Is there a map of all the places that have been searched?
Yes, a centralised map of the areas searched has been created to help volunteer coordinators organise and plan searches. This map will not be made public. If you are planning to search in a specific area please contact as at theohayezgps@gmail.com.
Have the beaches/creeks/rivers etc been searched/is it possible he went for a swim?
The beaches/creeks/etc have been searched by volunteers, police, surf life savers, SES, metal detectors etc. Considering it was a very cold and windy night with temperatures around 4-6 degrees, it is very unlikely.
Have accounts and apps been checked?
Yes, different accounts and apps have been thoroughly investigated. The police and family have this information. We didn’t have access to Théo’s last photos taken with his phone as he didn’t have an automatic backup uploading them on the cloud.
Has CCTV/Dash cam footage been looked into?
Yes, many local places/private properties have been asked for CCTV footage. There is a vast amount of CCTV being reviewed. The police have requested that anyone with dash cam footage from the late hours of the 31st of May to the early hours of the 1st of June forward the footage on to the police.
Have the hospitals/emergency rooms in Byron Bay and surrounding areas been contacted?
Yes, in the first few days after the family were alerted to Théo being missing the police have send the info to the hospitals. The family also did, with the help of many local volunteers make sure lots of posters were displayed locally and in the hinterland.
View more FAQ's here
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Théo last seen here; at Cheeky Monkeys Byron Bay
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Thank you to the people of Belgium, Australia and elsewhere for the attention and love that you bring to Theo!

You are not mistaken! He deserves it!

Théo arrived in Australia on the 12th of November.

He was welcomed and hosted by his Godfather, who lives in Victoria 200km west of Melbourne. That’s where Théo spent the first month of his adventure.

Then, Théo had the chance to get a job at the Australian Open Tennis.

In February, he went to Tasmania with a Swiss backpacker.

Once back on the mainland, Théo met with his cousin Lisa and they both started working in a farm to harvest apples and pears.

He also had the opportunity to work in a gardening company (like his father, who is a Landscape Architect)

After that, he traveled with other backpackers to Alice Springs in central Australia, after which he moved north to Cairns.

He began to travel south along the east coast to finally get to Byron Bay on May 29th.

He had planned to leave Byron on Monday June 3rd to catch-up with his Godfather in Melbourne on June 8th...

He was excited to return home on June 13th! A few days before his disappearance, he asked his mum if it was possible to organise a party at her house with all his friends to celebrate him being back in Belgium...

He also asked me (Laurent) if it would be possible to work with me in gardening to earn some money once he was back.

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In September, Théo intended to start engineering studies in mechanical technologies, related to the environment.

Since a young age, Théo has been very interested in the environment and dreams of inventing a car that will have zero impact on the planet ....

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His Mom, his brother Lucas and I keep hope, thanks also to the incredible support of the Belgian, Australian and Byron community. Hoping for the possibility of another scenario than the one of the accident !!!!

If, however, Théo has left this poor Earth, and is currently having fun with whales, turtles and dolphins...; Vinciane, Lucas and I, while looking at the beautiful smile of Théo on the pictures of his Australian adventure, are relieved to see that he spent the last 6 months (of his too short life ...) in a beautiful country, meeting wonderful people!

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Thank you to the people of Belgium, Australia and elsewhere for the attention and love that you bring to Theo!

‍

You are not mistaken! He deserves it !"

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Vinciane Delforge, Lucas and Laurent Hayez

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I was in Byron in May/JuneI was at Cheeky Monkeys on 31st May 2019I was staying at WakeUp! Hostel at the timeI was at Tallows Beach on 31st May 2019
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