A search for a backpacker missing for more than two years will resume after her phone was found.
Tasmania Police confirmed they would join an independent search for Celine Cremer, a 31-year-old Belgian tourist.
She was reported missing on June 26, 2023, after last being seen on June 17, 2023 in Waratah, a town on the island’s north-west.
She is believed to have gone on a bushwalk at Philosopher Falls, but didn’t return.
Her empty white Honda CRV was found in a car park.
A private search party, organised by Cremer’s family and friends, was set up over the weekend with the support of police.
They found her mobile phone in the Philosopher Falls area yesterday.
Police are now looking into she may have got lost while on the way back to her car.
“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, using an app on her phone, elected to leave the Philosopher Falls track to take a more direct route back to her car as daylight faded,” Inspector Andrew Hanson said.
“We suspect she dropped her phone and continued without it, becoming disoriented in dense terrain.”
It’s the first sign of Cremer since she went missing, and Tasmania Police will now officially join the search.
An initial search effort lasted two weeks, but was hampered by winter weather, including sub-zero temperatures, snow, and rain.
Hanson said search efforts were postponed today due to weather, but that authorities had a clear plan of attack.
“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,” he said.
Hanson said a police liaison officer had informed Cremer’s family in Belgium.
