'He wouldn't put himself in danger - he doesn't take drugs': Mystery surrounding missing Belgian backpacker, 18, deepens as family cling to hope he'll be found
- Mystery continues to surround the case of missing Belgian teenager Theo Hayez
- Mr Hayez was last seen leaving the Cheeky Monkey's bar about 11pm on May 31
- He appeared to be headed toward his accommodation at the Wake Up! hostel
- Friends are worried 'something stopped' the young traveller on his way back
Mystery continues to surround the case of missing Belgian teenager Theo Hayez who vanished after leaving a popular night spot in Byron Bay.
Mr Hayez was last seen leaving the Cheeky Monkey's bar at about 11pm on May 31 and his family are desperately clinging to hope he will be found.
His godfather Jean-Phillipe Pector told 9News it was completely out of character for the 18-year-old to not make contact with his family and friends.
'We know that he wouldn't put himself in a dangerous situation - he doesn't take drugs,' Mr Pector said.
Mystery continues to surround the case of missing Belgian teenager Theo Hayez (pictured) who vanished after leaving a popular night spot on the coast of New South Wales
Mr Hayez's godfather said with each and every day that passes comes a new layer of anxiety and exhaustion.
CCTV footage shows Mr Hayez walking away from Cheeky Monkey's and checking his phone just before midnight on May 31.
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The young traveller appeared to be heading towards the Wake Up! hostel north of town, where his passport and belongings were later found untouched.
The 18-year-old had been travelling with his cousin Lisa Hayez, who said there is no way he would have wanted to disappear.
'We're sure like 100 per cent sure that his goal was to go back to the hostel to sleep,' Ms Hayez said.
Mr Hayez's godfather Jean-Phillipe Pector (left with Mr Hayez's cousin Lisa) said it was completely out of character for the 18-year-old to not make contact with his family and friends
The 18-year-old had been travelling with his cousin Lisa Hayez (pictured), who said there is no way her cousin would have wanted to disappear
Byron Bay Command Superintendent Dave Roptell said police are 'not ruling out anything at the moment', and has urged anyone with information to come forward.
'It's baffling on two points from an investigation point of view, because we don't know what's happened - I feel for the family,' Supt Roptell said.
A combined effort from police, volunteers and family and friends have scoured the local area, with officers using a specialist drone to search for missing teenager.
On Wednesday, police said they were being assisted by NSW Surf Lifesaving from the water at Belongil Beach while using the drone to search the beach.
Belgian teenager Theo Hayez was last seen leaving the Cheeky Monkey's bar about 11pm on Friday, May 31
Police previously released footage showing Mr Hayez walking from the Cheeky Monkey's nightclub wearing a black hooded jumper, beige pants and black shoes.
'Officers with assistance from SES volunteers and members of the community have conducted extensive land searches to the east and northeast of the town,' a police spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Mr Hayez's final known activity is believed to be sending a message to another friend in Belgium after midnight.
'It seems like he was still happy where he was at that time, so he might've met someone on the way to the backpackers or decided to go and lay on the beach for a bit, we don't know,' friend Michael Dorkhom wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.
'Something must've stopped him on the way to the backpackers since he would've reached (it) around 11.30pm on the Friday if he just had kept walking.'
Mr Dorkhom said Mr Hayez had been identified in more CCTV footage from Byron Bay's main street in the minutes after he left the bar.
CCTV footage shows Mr Hayez allegedly walking away from the Cheeky Monkey (pictured) and checking his phone just before midnight on May 31
The young traveller appeared to be heading towards the Wake Up! hostel (pictured) north of town, where his passport and belongings were later found untouched
Mr Hayez hasn't used his mobile phone or made any financial transactions since then, prompting 'grave concerns' for his welfare, a NSW Police spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
Mobile phone records helped investigators narrow the search area east of the Byron Bay CBD, and in and around bushland to the northeast, earlier this week.
But on Tuesday the search shifted to Belongil Beach, which is across the road from the backpackers' accommodation.
Tweed/Byron Police District Chief Inspector Michael Dempsey thanked the community for their help in looking for Mr Hayez.
'Police would like to acknowledge and thank the local State Emergency Services staff and community members who have searched tirelessly over the last three days,' he said.
'Also, thanks to community members for dropping off food and drinks at our search Command Post.
On Tuesday the search for Mr Hayez shifted to Belongil Beach (pictured), which is across the road from the backpackers' accommodation
'Theo's family and friends have been touched by the kindness of our local community.
'On behalf of Byron Bay Police, thank you for your efforts.'
He also appealed to members of the public who may have CCTV footage from surrounding areas on the night Mr Hayez disappeared.
'Any information or sightings of Theo would greatly assist investigators,' Chief Inspector Dempsey said.
A GoFundMe page launched on Monday had reportedly collected more than $12,000 in 12 hours to help fund search efforts.
'A few days before his disappearance Theo told us he could not wait to come back to Belgium,' the fundraiser page stated.
'A few days before his disappearance Theo told us he could not wait to come back to Belgium,'a GoFundMe page says
'I travelled with Theo from Alice Springs to Darwin, I hope with all my heart that you will find him,' one donor wrote.
Mr Hayez planned to spend eight months in Australia with Byron Bay the final leg of his journey, according to the fundraiser page.
He was supposed to travel to Melbourne before returning home to Belgium this week.
The search involves NSW Police, the SES, the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter, Surf Life Saving and Marine Rescue volunteers.
The CCTV footage shows Mr Hayez walking from the nightclub on the night he disappeared wearing a black hooded jumper, beige pants and black shoes.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 180cm to 190cm tall, with a thin build and blond hair.
Police have urged anyone with information about Mr Hayez to come forward or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
Mr Hayez (left, on night he disappeared, and right, with cousin) left his passport and belongings at his hostel
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