A bushwalker has made a grisly discovery by stumbling across “what are believed to be human remains” near the Philosopher Falls area in Waratah on Tasmania’s west coast on Wednesday.

In a statement, Tasmania Police said the person had been searching the area as part of continuing efforts to locate missing Belgian backpacker, Celine Cremer, who was last seen in Waratah on Saturday June 17, 2023.

“While forensic testing is yet to be completed, a pathologist has reviewed images and confirmed the remains are human,” police said.

“The volunteer contacted police immediately after the discovery, and officers from the Western District, along with specialist forensic personnel, are attending the scene.”

Police Inspector Andrew Hanson said Ms Cremer’s family had been notified of the discovery.

“We understand how distressing this development may be for her loved ones, and while everyone involved hopes it will help to provide answers, formal forensic analysis is required before we can determine whether the remains belong to Celine,” he said.

“We acknowledge the continued public interest in this case and will share further confirmed information when we are able to do so.”

Ms Cremer, who was 31 at the time of her disappearance, was backpacking Tasmania when she went missing during a bush walk near Philosopher Falls on June 17, 2023.

Despite an extensive search in the months following her disappearance, she was unable to be located.

Expert medical advice at the time of her disappearance suggested the 31-year-old would not have been able to survive the freezing weather conditions.

In December 2025, her mobile phone was found by a private search party in the Philosopher Falls area near Cradle Mountain.