A phone belonging to missing Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer has been discovered by a private search party in a major breakthrough in the baffling case.
Ms Cremer, 31, vanished during a simple one-hour return hike to Philosopher Falls, in the state’s north-west, about 73km south of Burnie, in June 2023.
The alarm was raised when she failed to board the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Devonport bound for Victoria on June 21, and never arrived at the terminal.
But on Saturday, police revealed a discovery that could help find the missing woman.
‘Tasmania Police can confirm that a mobile phone located today by a private search party in the Philosopher Falls area has been identified as belonging to missing Belgian woman, Celine Cremer,’ a statement said.
‘Police were notified immediately following the discovery and are attending the scene.
‘The phone will now undergo forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation into Celine’s disappearance.’
It is understood four of Ms Cremer’s loved ones from Europe arrived at Philosopher Falls earlier this week to join a last-ditch bid to locate her belongings, though it’s unclear if they were part of the private search party.
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Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer did not return from an easy hike at Philosopher Falls in 2023
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Ms Cremer’s car was discovered at the trailhead’s car park on June 27
Several searches of the dense, treacherous forest have been undertaken
The discovery comes just days before a new search of the gloomy, mist-shrouded forest surrounding Philosopher Falls, led by leading Australian licensed private investigator Ken Gamble.
A police search controller has been working closely with the private search party to ensure safety and proper handling of any discoveries.
Officers remain in close contact with Celine’s family and continue assessing new information ‘to provide them with answers and closure’.
Ms Cremer’s white SUV was discovered by police in the car park at Philosopher Falls on June 27, 2023.
Using mobile phone data, they determined it had been parked there since June 20.
Ms Cremer, an experienced hiker, had been exploring Tasmania for six months before she vanished.
The case baffled police, who called off the search in early July 2023 after medical experts advised she could not have survived the harsh winter conditions.
‘There is no evidence of anything other than misadventure,’ Tasmania Police inspector Andrew Hanson said at the time.
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Ms Cremer had been travelling around Tasmania for six months
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A new search of the forest surrounding Philosopher Falls, helmed by leading Australian licensed private investigator Ken Gamble, will begin next week
Mr Gamble has taken on the case pro bono in the hope of providing answers to Ms Cremer’s distraught mother, Ariane, in Belgium.
His company, IWF Global, has searched the scene three times already, and is returning with a team of 25 volunteers chosen for their bushcraft and medical expertise.
Mr Gamble revealed he had initially suspected kidnapping – or worse.
He investigated several people in the region – from a man seen near Ms Cremer on CCTV at a roadhouse before her hike, to individuals with criminal records – all of whom were ruled out.
‘We did investigate and kept an open mind about the possibility of her being abducted or murdered in that forest, and that’s something we took very seriously,’ Mr Gamble told the Daily Mail last week.
However, everyone investigated had alibis and were ruled out.
‘The bottom line is there is not one skerrick of evidence to suggest it, and there’s no evidence of other phones being in that area,’ he added.
Since accessing Ms Cremer’s GPS and phone service data, Mr Gamble was able to forensically retrace her steps – and what he believes happened is just as chilling as foul play.
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It is understood four of Ms Cremer’s loved ones from Europe arrived at Philosopher Falls to join a last-ditch bid to locate her belongings
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Mr Gamble remains convinced that Ms Cremer strayed from the trail and became lost
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Mr Gamble remains convinced that she simply strayed from the trail and became lost, succumbing to freezing temperatures and heavy rain in the days after she set off.
‘I cannot overemphasise enough just how treacherous the conditions are out there,’ he said. ‘It’s one of the most dangerous places I have ever searched.’
Ahead of the upcoming search, Mr Gamble said the team will be mainly looking for Ms Cremer’s belongings – her backpack, car keys and remnants of her clothes.
He said they are unlikely to find intact skeletal remains because the area is home to Tasmanian devils – carnivorous marsupials with ferocious bite power.
While they are usually scared of humans, nicknamed the ‘Australian hyena’ for their ability to strip carcasses and crunch through bone.
‘The reality is that we are looking for things that won’t have been scavenged. We believe that her belongings are somewhere, even if her remains aren’t,’ he said.
‘Some experts in the area have said there is a chance her remains could’ve been torn apart by Tassie devils or whatever animal.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania through crimestopperstas.com.au or 1800 333 000.
