Tasmania Police have formally joined an independent search effort for missing Belgian tourist Celine Cremer after her mobile phone was discovered in dense Tasmanian bushland.
The phone was found near Philosopher Falls by a privately organised search team on Saturday, providing the first significant breakthrough in the two-year investigation.
Inspector Andrew Hanson said the discovery supports police theory about what happened to Cremer in June 2023.
“The phone was found in an area that has been extensively searched previously and phone data, as well as the location it was found, supports our theory that Celine may have elected to leave the Philosopher Falls track to take a more direct route back to her car as daylight faded,” Hanson said.
“We suspect she dropped her phone and continued without it, becoming disoriented in dense terrain.”
Cremer was last seen in Waratah on Saturday June 17 2023, with police believing she then drove to Philosopher Falls for a bushwalk.
Her disappearance wasn’t reported to police until nine days later, with her vehicle located in the falls carpark the following day.
Search efforts have been temporarily paused due to dangerous weather conditions, with rain, hail and potential snow in the forecast.
“When the search recommences, we will work together with the independent searchers to specifically re-search the area where the phone was located and the likely route Celine may have taken after losing it,” Hanson said.
The extensive delay between Cremer’s disappearance and discovery, coupled with the harsh winter weather conditions that included sub-zero temperatures and snow, had led police to previously conclude survival was unlikely.
Authorities have informed Cremer’s mother in Belgium about the discovery of the phone.
“While finding her phone has provided some hope for the many people invested in this matter, it is a stark reminder for Celine’s loved ones of the tragedy of their loss,” Hanson said.
