New $500,000 twist in Theo Hayez case: Family want 'key question' answered
A $500,000 reward is on offer for anyone with information that can “fill the gap” in the search for missing backpacker Theo Hayez.
The 18-year-old Belgian traveller vanished on May 31, 2019, after he left Cheeky Monkeys bar in Byron Bay.
As part of an inquest into the disappearance, a fellow Belgian backpacker said he and Theo had bought cheap wine earlier that day and shared several glasses at the Wake Up! Hostel before catching a shuttle bus to the bar.
After Theo was ejected from the club at 11pm, he Googled the directions back to the hostel but instead walked in the opposite direction.
Detectives established Strike Force Mulgray to investigate, however, despite the efforts of police, volunteers and the Byron Bay community, the teenager has never been found.
Police believe the teen may have gone to Cosy Corner, which is at the north of Tallow Beach, walked up to the lighthouse and fallen from the cliffs into the ocean – a theory his family have previously rejected.
Family reveal 'key question' they want answers to
In a video message recorded from Belgium, Theo’s parents said they welcomed the reward and are desperate for answers.
“We are now coming up to three years since Theo’s disappearance, we believe this reward may be one of our last opportunities to find answers about what happened to Theo,” his father Laurent Hayez said.
"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.”
Theo's mother, Vinciane Delforge, said any detail “big or small” could provide their family with “desperately needed answers".
"Not having answers means our family is unable to grieve and heal, as we don't have a conclusion,” she said.
Missing backpacker’s family deny police claims he fell into the ocean
Family spot new detail in photo of missing Byron Bay backpacker
Police searching for information to 'fill the gap'
Tweed/Byron Police District Acting Commander, Acting Superintendent Brendon Cullen, said investigators hope the reward can join the dots in the case.
"This reward is being offered because there is a gap in what we know. There is a gap between what happened between the nightclub and Tallows Beach," he said.
"We want to know if anyone has any information that can fill that gap. We want to know what that information is.
"Detectives want to ensure every avenue has been exhaustively examined and we are continuing to ask anyone who had any interaction with Theo after he left that Friday night to contact us.
"We all want to have answers as to what happened to him."
The eleventh day of the inquest into Theo’s disappearance resumed at Byron Bay courthouse on Wednesday morning.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
