Mum hopes 'a fling' will explain why backpacker went missing
The mother of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez is clinging to hope her son is still alive more than two weeks on from the last time he was seen.
The 18-year-old was last seen leaving Cheeky Monkey nightclub in Byron Bay, on the NSW’s north coast, about 11pm on May 31.
Police were alerted on June 6 when he failed to return to Wake Up! Hostel in Byron Bay and could not be contacted or located.
His mother, Vinciane Delforge, described her son’s disappearance as completely out of character.
"He is ... a conscientious, organised, responsible and attentive boy," she told a French broadcaster in Belgium last week.
Ms Delforge was hopeful there was an innocent explanation behind the bizarre disappearance of her son.
“We would love to believe that he met a girl and had a fling... and that's why there's no sign of life,” she said.
Locals joined forces with police, the SES and volunteers in a massive search for Mr Hayez, but were yet to uncover any trace of him.
Police obtained footage from a holiday home on Shirley Street —about a kilometre from the place where he was last seen outside Cheeky Monkey.
Mr Hayez’s family believe the snippet of video, which hasn’t been released to the public yet, shows him following directions on his phone to get back to his hostel.
“Something happened between this place [the Shirley Street holiday house] and the hostel and I don’t know what,” his cousin, Lisa Hayez, told Nine News.
His belongings, including his passport were left untouched in his hostel room, while his mobile phone and bank cards haven’t been used since his disappearance.
Police continue to appeal for public assistance into his disappearance and are asking anyone with CCTV in the area to come forward.
Mr Hayez's mobile phone records have helped investigators narrow down the search area to east of the Byron Bay CBD and in and around bushland to the northeast.
"Our last recorded phone records indicate the phone was used in and around this area," Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Kehoe said in Byron Bay last Monday.
A relative of Mr Hayez will address the media on Monday.
Anyone with any information about Theo Hayez is asked to contact Byron Bay Police on 02 6685 9499.
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