The Lighthouse

263

Theo Hayez is missing in Byron Bay, a beautiful beachside town on Australia’s most easterly mainland point, frequently in the spotlight for its famous residents. Theo's from Brussels. He's 18 and on a backpacking holiday when he vanishes in May 2019. Behind the scenes local volunteers who've never met Theo begin searching and investigating with his family, parallel to a major police investigation.At the request of Theo's family, The Australian newspaper's national crime correspondent David Murray joins the unofficial search party to investigate the mysterious disappearance for a new podcast series, The Lighthouse. Theo left a local bar around 11pm. As the search narrows to the area around the 118-year-old Cape Byron Lighthouse, a range of theories emerge.From the newspaper that brought you The Teacher's Pet and Who The Hell is Hamish, The Lighthouse investigates all possible scenarios as it takes you inside an extraordinary search.To read more about the disappearance of Theo Hayez, and access exclusive photos and video material, go to www.lighthousepodcast.com.au.

Recent Episodes

Episodes loading...

Recent Reviews

DBC1891

Earnest effort

This podcast brings much-needed attention to the case, and I truly hope it helps uncover new leads. As a listening experience, however, it was very redundant. It kept poring over the same info again and again. I still hope it helps the case.
Myjanda

No summary- just ends

This is the second consecutive Australian podcast that seems to be missing at least a summary or last episode as it seems to stop mid story. I get that there is no more info after multiple walks through the bush and looking into missing homeless people but after episode 6 I waited for episode 7 to start and realized I had finished the podcast. No wrap up or that's all folks or stay tune in case something turns up someday. Just episode 6 ending with a memorial on the beach and ....... Nothing
PodcastTruths

So sad

I feel terrible for all those involved especially the victim and his family. The information is given with respect to all involved. The inclusion of the indigenous prayers, customs, etc was really cool and led to me reading more abt their culture, so I appreciate that as well. I hope the family finds their answers.
Myshkin81

There’s no story here

Guy gets drunk, gets lost, falls into the ocean. 6 episodes of people pretending that the blindingly obvious isn’t blindingly obvious.
Erin7920

Find Theo

Overall an interesting story with great focus on modern tracking technologies. My heart really goes out to Theo’s parents. I think this podcast though could be a bit tedious and distracted on some of the interviews, especially with the homeless population angle and the “spiritual” individuals. Could have been 3-4 episodes rather than 6. I hope his parents find closure.
alice in wibderland

Heartbreaking but Uplifting

The search for the lost backpacker in Byron Bay Australia is both heartbreaking and uplifting. I absolutely could not stop listening. This is a fantastic podcast that brings these people to life, and tells the story in a spellbinding way. Deepest condolences to Theo’s parents who lived in hope for so long. May he rest in peace somewhere.
CFicken

Fascinating!

Guys, WHERE IS THEO??? How is there SO MUCH information and still no Theo?!?! Great listen!
mrgkay

Tedious

I made it through 5 episodes and part of 6 until I realized I’d only been half listening because it’s so tedious, repetitive and boring. Could have been done in three episodes without all the trudging through the bush. I take it they did not find him. I do feel terrible for his family. He seems like a lovely young man but I just feel I’ve been listening to this for years instead of days and I’ve moved on. It was likely a tragic accident imo and I do wish his family peace.
Samgar92

Amazing

I listened to all 6 episodes in one day, this is an amazing podcast. I really hope this helps bring attention to his case, the Hayez family deserves answers. I met Theo during my travels in Aus, he was kind, and incredibly mature for his age. My heart goes out to Theo and his family.
Miss Ginger 58

Meandering

The interviews with the local eccentrics took long and served no purpose other than to fill airtime. It’s ok to touch on the local color but you went way beyond especially the smudge party nutter.
texanfromwyo

A little long, but good

When a case has revealed little clues in more than half a year, there isn’t a whole lot to talk about so it feels at times like they’re just filling space and it could have been half as many episodes. As an American, it’s a little hard to understand sometimes. I’m always amazed at the radically different ways we pronounce the same word - the most drastic example in this podcast is when the host said the brand Adidas. I had to rewind the podcast to catch what he was trying to say. The police seem seriously lacking on this case - they way they treat key evidence and people trying to help is shameful. Yet I’m sure that doesn’t speak for all of them. I do hope at some point they are able to get an answer. Theo’s family deserves to know what happened. I can’t imagine their pain.
jackie khod

Such a sad story. Hope Théo is found.

Great story and great reporting. It makes me so happy that all these people who didn’t know Théo, they’re there to help find him. ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼 I wonder if his friends that he meat the first nite, know more than what they tell?
bpjan1989

Started off promising...

This podcast started off strong but has gone in the wrong direction IMO. My main issue is that it seems to not know what it wants to be: a podcast about a missing person or an exposé about the plight of the homeless and less fortunate in Byron bay and the surrounding areas. It’s trying to take on too much. Another note is that the sound quality is becoming an issue as much of the time is devoted to interviews on the ground with patchy audio. This is OK when it’s not the majority of the episode, but when it is, it makes it difficult to listen. Overall I do appreciate the story this is trying to tell but it’s getting lost in its own story. I hope if this continues they can course correct a bit because there is also a lot done well here.
joourney woman 1957

Heartbreaking yet beautiful

The mystery of Theo’s disappearance is truly heartbreaking yet there is such beauty in the humanity of those still searching. Mesmerizing podcast, outstanding g production. Well done.
Lyssa321

Riveting and tragic

Loved listening to this podcast and my heart goes out to his family. Well written and produced.
Carol22l

The Australian....

Is surely becoming a name to be reckoned with in the podcast industry. Well done as usual. Big hugs to the family and friends of the missing/murdered in every story y’all cover.
BNYC87

Waiting for it to pick up

Finding their tracking through the bush to be very tedious. How many episodes do we need of them walking paths?? Get to the point
alisaurus.wrecks

Well Done as Always

This isn’t my favorite series by the Australian but I am enjoying the story. I am unfamiliar with Byron Bay as an American but we the story is universal.
stylee

Love it but so redundant

Basically you could skip half the episodes because it’s so so redundant. It’s actually really frustrating.
yayforreviewing

Heartwarming and heartbreaking

So many things about this podcast are heartwarming— the fact that The Australian would devote a podcast to this story is wonderful. Hearing how the Byron Bay community has gathered to support the Hayez family and search for Theo is a testament to the fact that there are good people everywhere. It’s also heartbreaking because if Theo was the victim of a crime, it was so senseless. He was so young and was just visiting on an adventure before starting engineering school. So sad. Anyway, great job and I’m looking forward to all of the episodes. Hoping you find Theo.
Nullity

Ingrossing! A real keeper of a pod.

I typically don’t like accent pods but this story is so intriguing that I can overlook the Aussie accent (not that there’s anything wrong with it, it’s just hard to understand sometimes. That’s a problem with me not the speaker.)
Lady of Valhalla

Well-told

Intrigued to know how this story progresses.
Cheetocat8

Intrigued

This is a solid podcast and I am sad for his family. I really want some answers about what happened and I’m excited for the next episode
BridgettJ

The Australian

I am a Southern girl from the US and when I saw The Australian was releasing another Podcast I immediately subscribed. I have such respect for their investigator reporters and can’t wait to hear more.