Twist in search for Theo Hayez as family confirms cap found in dense bushland next to a popular Byron Bay beach DOES belong to him
- Fresh details have emerged in the search for missing backpacker Theo Hayez
- A Facebook group involved in his search revealed his family believe a cap is his
- Belgian teenager went missing on May 31 after a leaving a Byron Bay nightclub
The family of Theo Hayez have confirmed that a cap found in dense bushland belongs to him.
The 18-year-old Belgian national mysteriously vanished after leaving Cheeky Monkey’s bar in Byron Bay on May 31, this year.
His disappearance sparked a major investigation which involved both Australian and Belgian police.
But the search was abandoned in September after police and locals spent months looking for the missing backpacker.
A cap found in July near the poplar Tallow Beach, near to where Theo’s phone last ‘pinged’ was sent off for DNA testing.
But although results from the tests are yet to be released, Theo’s family have confirmed the cap was his.
The 18-year-old (pictured with his girlfriend) mysteriously disappeared after leaving Cheeky Monkey’s bar in Byron Bay on May 31
Posting a picture of the cap the family wrote: ‘Many of you have been wondering about the results of the DNA testing of the hat found in bushland off Tallows Beach.
‘Although no DNA results have been released publicly and may not be for some time, the family is certain that it is Théo’s hat.
His family have confirmed a cap (pictured) found on July 7 in bushland where his phone last pinged belongs to Mr Hayez
‘The hat found was the exact same model and colour, shows the same wear and tear on the brim, and the position precisely matches one of his last known GPS locations.’
Mr Hayez travelled to Byron Bay after an eight-month backpacking trip around Austraila.
The iconic beach town was his final stop before flying back to Belgium.
On the night of his disappearance Theo visited the Cheeky Monkey’s nightclub and left around 11pm.
He was captured on CCTV footage about 15 minutes walk from his hostel but was never seen again.
His last known movements were near the Byron Bay lighthouse where his phone’s final ping came from.
The local community rallied around his family in support and joined police in an extensive search of bushland, air, and sea.
In September, the search came to an official close when the case was handed to the New South Wales coroner.
In a Facebook post (pictured) on Saturday, a group dedicated to his search announced that fresh details have emerged in the case