Revisiting the Byron Bay Serial Killer Theory

After re-visiting my previous article and coming across various Reddit Theories from an Australian True Crime thread, there have emerged various theories and stories about the missing people and deaths in Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers of NSW.

The Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, particularly around Byron Bay, has long been associated with alternative lifestyles, spiritual retreats, and countercultural communities. However, beneath its idyllic and laid-back surface, a darker pattern has emerged—one that intertwines missing persons, unexplained deaths, and alleged cult activity. This article examines some of the most notable cases and reported connections between spiritual groups and criminal behaviour in the area.

What started this is the murder and/or disappearence of 67 women from this region between 1977-2009. Now in 2025 we are looking at over 100 individuals and cases.

Many of these cases remain unresolved, and while some deaths might have been dismissed as accidents or suicides, the sheer number of disappearances, combined with the geographic concentration in the Northern Rivers, points to the possibility of something much more sinister at play—whether it’s a cult, a serial killer, or organized criminal activity.

Who is the Byron Bay Killer/s?

Since the 1970s, the Northern Rivers and Byron Bay has been associated with a range of deaths and mysterious disappearences which have been linked to a more sinister and undercurrent of criminal activity. The unsettling nature of these crimes, including reports of a serial killer, points to a long-standing issue that has persisted over several decades.

During the 1970s and 1980s, there were several unexplained deaths and disappearances of young men in Byron Bay and surrounding areas. Many of these victims were reportedly last seen at local parties or involved in the alternative subculture that was thriving in the region at the time. These deaths have long been speculated to be the work of a serial killer/s, whose identity remains a mystery to this day. While the police have not formally linked these cases, the pattern of young men disappearing and being found dead under suspicious circumstances raises questions about the dark underbelly of Byron Bay’s seemingly idyllic community.The issue of unexplained disappearances and deaths in the Northern Rivers region gained national attention due to a string of chilling events from the 1970s onward, with some believing that a serial killer may have been active in the area. The "Byron Bay Serial Killer" theory stems from the series of unexplained deaths and disappearances, some of which bear disturbing similarities to other serial killings that have plagued Australia.

The first widely recognized victim was Barbara McCulkin in 1974, whose disappearance remains unsolved to this day. Since then, a pattern has emerged of individuals—often young, vulnerable, or from out of town—vanishing without a trace, only to be found dead later under suspicious circumstances. McCulkin, along with her two daughters, vanished from their Brisbane home, and the case has baffled authorities for decades. Though her body has never been found, some have speculated that her disappearance might be tied to the underground, fringe communities of Northern New South Wales, where cults and criminal networks have thrived over the years.

Over the years, law enforcement has been unable to definitively connect these deaths, leading to speculation that a serial killer or a network of individuals may be responsible. While no formal connection has ever been made, the idea of a serial killer preying on the unsuspecting residents and tourists of Byron Bay continues to linger in the public’s imagination.

Byron Bay has been seen as (by Redditors) as ‘prime real estate for a serial killer’. Byron Bay is crawling with local and international tourists and it would arguably take a long time before anyone who suggests that missing / murdered people might be related in some way.

There are theories that the Balacalva murders and rapes which took place from the 1970s-80s might be linked as the perpetrator/s still haven’t been found.

Due to the 30 years of missing and dead people alongside unsolved cases, there is a chance that there are two or more serial killers in the same area either acting individually or working together.

As quoted from a comment:

Well if there are/were 2 or more serial killers in the same area, it would be difficult to figure out if it was a group of serial killers vs a single serial killer, or two serial killers working together because the ages, sex and type of killings were all completely different…tracking 1 serial killer would be a lot easier (theoretically) because the age and gender and type of killing would all be similar in some way... I reckon it would be a hunting ground for any type of serial killer and I would assume they weren't hanging out with each other (maybe they were) and it was just beneficial that there were more of them doing it and who is to say there aren't younger serial killers doing it now... Super concerning.

Tallow Beach

Tallow Beach in Byron Bay has come up various times through these reports and also on Reddit forums. According to locals it’s known to be a spot to avoid at night and a place where you ‘can’t go alone’. The beach has been rated the most dangerous in NSW due to the drownings. While the pristine beaches and dunes are a draw for tourists, the area has also developed a reputation for several types of criminal activities.

Illicit behaviors in this area have included drug use and trafficking, especially in secluded parts of the dunes where visibility is low. This setting is also known for occasional assaults, particularly at night when the area is less populated. Locals sometimes advise caution in specific stretches, especially as these places can be isolated, creating opportunities for risky encounters. Some even attribute a sense of foreboding to certain parts of the dunes due to stories or personal experiences involving theft, drug-related exchanges, and at times, aggressive behavior. Law enforcement has noted some of these risks, and locals and visitors alike tend to be aware of the area’s risks when frequenting it alone or at night.This is also the same beach where Thea Liddle’s belongings were discovered back in July 2020 at a makeshift camp,

In 2014 a woman was found dead in the sand dunes of Tallow Beach.

In 2016 there was a man who was also found dead in the bushland near Tallow Beach.

When Theo Hayez went missing it was the last place his phone had pinged.

There have been bush doofs and gatherings near the rock headlands of Tallow Beach and it’s quite common for people to camp and live there.

Witnesses of Crimes are Being Targeted

A common conspiracy is that people who have attended the same music festivals and bush doofs as Theo Hayez and other similar people have been subsequently silenced by cults or certain individuals.

Ben Unwin and Taiki Kano’s deaths could be framed as part of a larger, more sinister pattern of elimination of witnesses—individuals who stumbled into situations they were not supposed to be privy to. Both men, although vastly different in their backgrounds, became collateral damage in a dangerous world they didn’t fully understand. Their deaths could represent more than tragic accidents; they could have been targeted for execution by the cult in an effort to silence those who might expose the cult’s dark and secretive activities.

Unwin was a well-known actor in Australia, famous for his role in Home and Away. Unwin was found dead on August 2019, the day before his 42nd birthday in West of Byron Bay. As he was quite popular in Byron and nationwide, it’s been said that Unwin would have been more vulnerable to a range of dangerous individuals.

The theory surrounding Unwin isn’t proven or substantiated, however he was known to frequent bush music festivals where a range of dangerous activities and illicit substances were taking place. It’s said that Unwin’s death wasn’t a ‘random accident or a struggle with personal issues’ but a ‘targetted killing’ to prevent him from revealing the truth. If Unwin had witnessed anything suspicious at the event—whether it was a violent altercation, a ritualistic act, or something as simple as an exchange that could tie cult members to criminal activity—it’s likely he became a liability. His status as a public figure would have made him an even more dangerous potential whistleblower. If he witnessed something that could tie the cult’s members to illegal or dangerous behavior, his death would serve as a warning: no one who comes close to the cult’s activities is safe.

Kano’s death also adds another layer of complexity to the theory. Kano was a foreign national staying in Nimbin and had allegedly become involved with people who were part of the ‘bush doof subculture’. It’s theorised that Kano became entangled in the dangerous activities and that he might have been unaware of the dangers. The details surrounding his death are chilling, particularly the claim that he drowned in a dam where no water was found in his lungs. This suggests that the cause of death may have been staged to appear accidental—likely as part of the cult’s efforts to avoid suspicion. Such a method could be indicative of an intentional act to make the death appear as though it was related to some form of drug use, an accident, or personal distress, rather than a murder orchestrated by the cult.

Moreover, Kano’s apparent attempt to escape a dangerous situation—running naked through the streets of Coffs Harbour and then being found dead near Ballina—adds an eerie element of desperation to his demise. His nakedness could be symbolic, suggesting that he had been stripped of his dignity or control by the cult, either physically or mentally. The fact that he was trying to escape could imply that he had realized the danger he was in and attempted to flee, only to be hunted down and silenced.

The cult could have targeted Kano because he was an outsider who had inadvertently become too close to the truth. It’s also worth considering that cults often use fear and manipulation to keep people in line, and Kano’s death could have served as a grim example for others—an act of intimidation meant to ensure that no one speaks out or questions the cult’s activities.

The Role of the Full Moon

There is a recurring theme in several of the missing persons and death cases in the region - mostly the timing of these incidents that coincide with the full moon. These theories have arisen suggesting a symbolic or ritualistic element of these disappearences. Some believe these groups may be utilising full moons for clandestine activities. Although speculative, the timing does have a striking commonality across a number of cases (not all have been mentioned).

Name Date of Disappearance/Death Full Moon Nearby?

Rodney Clement Bradridge 22 May 1997 ✅ Full moon: 22 May 1997

Andrew James Murray 22 Mar 1989 ✅ Full moon: 22 Mar 1989

Zac Barnes 13–14 Nov 2016 ✅ Full moon: 14 Nov 2016

Jayden Penno-Tompsett 31 Dec 2017–1 Jan 2018 ❌ Full moon: 2 Jan 2018 (close)

Theo Hayez Last seen 1 June 2019 ❌ Full moon: 17 June 2019 (found that day)

Taiki Kano 24–25 Nov 2020 ✅ Full moon: 30 Nov 2020 (within range)

Miles Bolton 6 Feb 2023 ✅ Full moon: 5 Feb 2023

Ryan Prior 6 Feb 2023 ✅ Full moon: 5 Feb 2023

Leon Hampton Dixon 6 Feb 2023 ✅ Full moon: 5 Feb 2023

Vincent Sweeney 30–31 Aug 2023 ✅ Full moon: 31 Aug 2023

James Doherty, Mark Dodds, Benjamin Watego, etc. 24 Feb 2024 ✅ Full moon: 24 Feb 2024

Brodie Brien, Jordan ?? 17–18 Oct 2024 ✅ Full moon: 17 Oct 2024

There are some claims and realities with this theory that should be addressed.

There are spiritual and somewhat scientific theories that do theorize that the moon controls tides and as humans are mostly water… the moon may control us too. This isn’t 100% proven though.

According to Australian Aboriginal religion and mythology Minyon Falls and the West Byron Bay region is ‘cursed’ and has ‘bad spirits’.

The chronological list above does reveal clustering around specific dates, particularly around the full moons. Some theories suggest individuals who attended local bush parties that were held during full moons, like the one where Theo went missing, were targeted after witnessing disturbing events. The suggestion is that a group may be covering its tracks through intimidation or violence.

Suspected Cult Links

While the Norther Rivers region is spiritual and cultural at heart, it has been a magnet for alternative lifestyles and wellness tourism. Over the past decade, a number of organisations and groups in the area have drawn criticism, media attention, and legal scrutiny for cult-like practices and, in some cases, alleged criminal activity.

Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, and Nimbin are known internationally as hubs of counterculture and spiritual exploration. However, this open and alternative ethos can sometimes attract groups with questionable intentions.

Nimbin has a longstanding association with alternative communities, some of which hover near cult-like structures.

There are increasing reports of clandestine ayahuasca ceremonies, neo-pagan sects, and unregistered spiritual retreats operating out of isolated hinterland properties.

Due to the private and unregulated nature of many of these gatherings, law enforcement is often limited in its capacity to intervene unless a serious incident—such as a death—occurs. About 30 minutes from Byron Bay is the Rainbow Temple founded by Guy Feldmann. The Rainbow Temple has not been an ‘officially labelled cult’ however they have been in trouble with authorities and the public before for hosting various ritualistic events and alleged substance abuse.

Marion Barter (1997)

• A respected Gold Coast teacher and mother disappeared under suspicious circumstances

• In 2019 a credible lead suggested she may have been drawn to a sect near Byron Bay which have been linked to a group called the Hermes Far Eastern Shining, otherwise known as the Water People.

Lois Roberts (1998)

• Roberts was last seen outside Nimbin Police Station, her remains were found months later in a forest that was known to host spiritual gatherings.

• No direct cult link has been confirmed, the area is populated with esoteric and fringe groups

Theo Hayez (2019)

• Hayez, Belgian backpacker, vanished in Byron Bay and remains unsolved. He was last seen near the beach, not far from where illegal bush parties were commonly held.

• Theories suggest foul play involving locals or individuals who may have ties to cults.

Jackson Stacker (2020)

• Stacker was found dead in bushland with a knife in his chest, initially authorities ruled it a suicide. His family has disputed it.

• Family and friends believe he may have been a victim of Byron Bay’s criminal elements.

• There are unconfirmed suggestions that Stacker had connections to alternative lifestyle groups.

Jarrod Antovich (2021)

• Antovich died after attending a spiritual retreat run by the ‘Church of Ayahuasca’ in the Northern Rivers

• During an inquest, witnesses described leaders attempting to mislead police fter he consumed ayahuasca and underwent a "kambo" ritual. His death highlighted the lack of regulation surrounding such retreats.

Police Inaction or a Coverup?

Many people have implied that law enforcement may not be taking these cases seriously due to a number of reasons such as lack of evidence, fear of provoking a powerful and dangerous group or institutional indifferences to crimes against marginalised individuals. The idea that the police "give them enough rope and they'll hang themselves" suggests that the authorities are either deliberately ignoring the problem or are allowing the cult's actions to continue without intervention, hoping the situation will resolve itself over time.

The other main argument is that they are under political and economic pressure to not investigate or create fear as Byron Bay will lose tourist business.