Skeletal remains have been discovered in bushland at Byron Bay, close to where Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez went missing over a year ago. The grim find was made on Wednesday afternoon during a search for another missing person, nomadic woman Thea Liddle.
Ms Liddle, 42, was known to move between homeless camps but vanished last year. NSW Police have not yet determined if the bones belong to a man or a woman, or if they are linked to either disappearance.
The search area included bushland near the Youth Activity Centre, which police had previously searched in connection with Theo Hayez's disappearance. The 18-year-old was last seen leaving Cheeky Monkey's nightclub on May 31, 2019, and never returned to his hostel.
Police brought sniffer dogs and rescue specialists to the area on Tuesday as part of the investigation into Ms Liddle's disappearance. Her last known address was a rural property where she lived with a 46-year-old man.
Byron Police District Commander, Superintendent Dave Roptell, said Ms Liddle led a transient lifestyle, frequently changing campsites in remote bushland. Officers have searched homeless camps where she was known to reside.
There is no indication that the two missing persons cases are linked, despite speculation of a possible serial killer. A grey Puma hat similar to one worn by Theo was found in bushland last July.
