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German backpacker Jan-Christian Bielenberg

The search for missing backpacker Jan-Christian Bielenberg has been called off, 11 days after the German disappeared.

Despite numerous unconfirmed sightings of the 20-year-old across Western Australia, and pleas for information from worried parents Wilhelm and Ursula Bielenberg, who arrived in Bunbury on Friday, police say the search area has become too big.

New intrigue has since been added to the manhunt, due to conflicting theories that Jan-Christian had been spurned by the woman he loves, was feeling intensely homesick and might even have gone into hiding.

His father Wilhelm is certainly refusing to give up hope, saying “he is alive … until there is proof of the opposite”.

The last confirmed sighting of the traveller was at the Dolphin Retreat Backpackers in Bunbury, about 180km south of Perth, on Thursday 30 July. Security camera footage shows the backpacker getting locked out of his room and then leaving the hostel at 3.43am.

It was then discovered that he may have spent the night at a house on the same street as the hostel. A woman has confirmed she spoke to Jan-Christian there at about 9am and said he was wearing green cargo pants and a pair of white Dunlop Volleys.

It has also emerged he was rejected by a Japanese woman the night before his disappearance. The 20-year-old, the youngest of four siblings, had dinner with the woman and declared his love, only to be told they were just friends, according to Sen-Sgt Russell Gardiner of Bunbury Police.

His parents have also described how their son had changed in recent months, becoming increasingly withdrawn, regularly calling his family to complain that, despite loving Australia, he was incredibly homesick.

And yet, another theory emerging from the police suggests the backpacker may have gone into hiding to avoid returning to Germany when his visa expires next week. He was due to fly home in three days (August 13).

Supporting that theory are the string of unconfirmed sightings that have placed the German everywhere from Geraldton in the north of WA to Dunsborough in the south.

However, police remain gravely concerned for the young traveller, stressing he does not have his passport, wallet or most of his clothes.

Police ask anyone who may have seen him or knows where he is to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

UPDATE: WASHED-UP BODY COULD BE JAN-CHRISTIAN BIELENBERG