Police have officially called off the search for missing teenage backpacker Theo Hayez.
The 18-year-old Belgian backpacker was last seen leaving Byron Bay’s Cheeky Monkey’s bar at about 11pm on May 31.
The search was initially suspended due to bad weather on June 22, but on Wednesday police made one final bid to find him.
Theo’s father Laurent Hayez shared a chilling video of himself walking through bushland searching for his son in and around the Byron Bay area.
The footage shows Mr Hayez scouring through dense bushland with a group of dedicated volunteers.
‘This morning looking for Theo with the volunteers in the bush…’ he wrote to his Facebook page.
‘Once again thank you so much to ALL THE VOLUNTEERS !!!’
Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez, 18, disappeared after leaving a Byron Bay bar on May 31
Specialised crews abseiled down the rocky cliffs near the Cape Byron Lighthouse in Byron Bay, as police and volunteers search the bush above on Tuesday
Officers from the Tweed/Byron Police District as well as several NSW Police Force units conducted extensive land, air and sea searches near the Byron Bay lighthouse area.
Three officers from the Belgian Federal Police arrived over the weekend to support the ongoing investigation.
Specialised crews abseiled down the rocky cliffs near the Cape Byron Lighthouse on Tuesday as police and volunteers searched the bush above.
Abseilers descended from three spots near the lighthouse, but returned empty-handed on the first day.
This will likely be the last physical search conducted by police before they give up and pursue other options, according to Belgian media.
The area is the last location Theo’s phone pinged from, more than 12 hours after he was last seen on security cameras leaving the bar.
Tweed/Byron Police Commander Superintendent Dave Roptell thanked local volunteers who worked tirelessly to bring the teen home.
‘It’s times like this which shows the strength of our community. We want to thank each and every person who assisted and who provided support.’
‘Throughout the entire investigation we have been liaising with the Belgian Federal Police, keeping them informed of our progress and work collaboratively with them. Belgian authorities have been appreciative of the work being undertaken.’
‘We met with Theo’s family today and we send our thoughts to them all, both here in Australia and abroad,’ Superintendent Roptell said.
The 18-year-old Belgian backpacker was last seen leaving Byron Bay’s Cheeky Monkey’s bar at about 11pm on May 31 (pictured with his girlfriend)
Dedicated volunteers conducted a coordinated search for missing backpacker Theo Hayez on Sunday
‘This search has brought the Byron Bay community together in more ways than one, and they have supported not only our officers but Theo’s family during this difficult time.’
Theo’s parents Laurent Hayez and Vinciane Delforge vowed to continue the search indefinitely with the help of local volunteers.
The couple hosted a dinner on Sunday night in Byron Bay to thank the more than 100 volunteers who gave up countless hours in the search.
Mr Hayez told the volunteers their efforts were ‘like a balm on our bleeding hearts’.
‘It’s amazing. People in Australia, people here in Byron Bay… astonishing, it’s amazing,’ he said.
‘Their support they bring to us is giving us force to keep faith. Without the support in Belgium and here in Australia, I think we would be on the couch with tissues, crying all the day.’
Theo Hayez’s father Laurent Hayez (pictured left) and cousin Lisa Hayez (right) have been in Australia helping volunteers with the search. Over the weekend, Mr Hayez said he believed the teenager was still alive
The devastated father earlier said he and his wife considered all possibilities: whether Theo had an accident or was killed, if he just wanted to stay in Australia for longer, or if he had fallen in love.
But as the search goes on, Mr Hayez remains convinced his son is alive. With no trace, he says there is no evidence his son has been injured or killed.
‘I believe, I’ll never give up,’ he said.
Superintendent Roptell said in light of the recent news, Theo’s family have requested privacy.
Theo’s mother, Vinciane Delforge, is consoled by counselling and spiritual healer Lani Sidoti during an event at Byron Bay Gold Club to thank volunteers
Investigators still have no idea what happened to the 18-year-old despite weeks of extensive searches.
‘At some point, there is no place left to look,’ a police source told Brussels TV station BX1.
Brisbane security expert George Maloukis, who has spent the past two weeks searching for Theo, also believes he is still alive.
‘Until he’s found dead, there’s still plenty of hope, which is why we need to keep looking,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The longer the search goes on for, the closer we are to finding him.’
However, he said time was running out and urged anyone with information to come forward as even a small tip could be the last piece of the puzzle.
Brisbane security expert George Maloukis, who has spent the past two weeks searching for Theo, also believes he is still alive