Almost two months since his disappearance, Theo Hayez’s father refuses to give up hope that his son is still alive.
Laurent Hayez told a Belgian radio station he believes his 18-year-old son might be a prisoner of a northern NSW cult. Cooked cults aren’t particularly rare in northern NSW, so Theo’s dad might actually be on to something with this theory.
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Theo was last contacted at 11 pm on May 31 when he left Byron Bay’s Cheeky Monkey’s Bar. The following day, Theo’s phone “pinged” for the last time near the Cape Byron lighthouse. Theo’s family and local authorities believe that “Theo did not spend the early hours of June 1 alone” according to news.com.au
An extensive month-long search including SES volunteers, dogs, local residents and drones was unsuccessful in locating the Belgian tourist, but his family remains hopeful.
Laurent also explained that he believes there are still people who are withholding vital information in Theo’s case.
“As long as we have not found his body, we keep hope,” he told RTBF (a Belgian public service radio station) earlier this month.
Northern NSW is a literal breeding ground for creepy cults living “off the grid” lifestyles in the area. His father believes that Theo may have been enlisted, convinced or even kidnapped by one of these groups that operate near the popular tourist town of Byron Bay.
“He may be a prisoner somewhere where there is no electricity — it is our hope,” Laurent said in the radio interview.
But this theory isn’t just his family’s wild hope. Tweed Byron Police told news.com.au that they’re investigating “multiple occupancy, alternate lifestyle communities” in the local area.
Laurent hopes to return to Australia in early August to continue the search, but he has faith in the Australian police.
“We have spoken about some of those theories before but they remain theories. We need solid evidence, so we must give investigators the opportunity to gather and verify that evidence,” he patiently said.
Multiple theories including drowning, serial killers and now cults have all surfaced since Theo’s disappearance in early June.
Please contact Crime Stoppers if you have any information that may help the investigation. Even if you don’t think it’s important, anything could be the missing puzzle piece that solves this tragic case.
