Specialist police will join the search for a Belgian backpacker, missing near Byron Bay, as authorities move across a bushy headland near the town's iconic lighthouse.
Theo Hayez, 18, was last seen leaving the holiday town's Cheeky Monkey's bar about 11pm on May 31.
His distraught father Laurent made an emotional plea for help on Monday, begging encrypted chat service WhatsApp to grant police access to his son's final known conversations.
SES volunteers search for missing Belgian backpacker Laurent Hayez around Watergos beach, Byron Bay. Source: AAP
The company has provided what information they can but are unable to access the content of the messages, AAP understands.
Dozens of people, including State Emergency Service volunteers and members of the public, on Tuesday. returned to the area around Cape Byron Lighthouse where the last 'ping' from Theo's phone was recorded on June 1.
The search was suspended on Tuesday evening with nothing of interest found, NSW Police said in a statement.
The operation will resume mid-morning on Wednesday with specialist police forces.
Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez, who vanished in Byron Bay in May 2019. Source: AAP
Belgian police are also working in Europe to speak with people Theo may have contacted in his final known hours.
More than $65,000 has been raised via a GoFundMe page for the Hayez family, part of which was used to help Laurent Hayez fly to Australia.
Mr Hayez arrived in the country late last week and has vowed to stay until his son is found.
