Investigators have found human remains and clothing believed to belong to Belgian national Celine Cremer, who went missing in Tasmania’s wilderness in 2023, police said Friday. The discoveries come nearly three years after Cremer vanished in the island state’s remote northwest, reigniting efforts to piece together the final movements of the 31-year-old woman.
Cremer disappeared on June 20, 2023, after leaving her car near Philosopher’s Falls in Waratah, a popular walking and hiking area. Her mobile phone last registered a signal that day. Initial search operations began the following day, but authorities suspended the official hunt in July 2023, citing the extreme winter conditions, including subzero temperatures, snow, and persistent rainfall. Experts at the time concluded survival in such conditions was highly unlikely.
This week, a bushwalker reported discovering human remains in the area, prompting police to return to the site. On Friday, law enforcement officials confirmed the recovery of additional bones and items of clothing, including a polar fleece jacket, believed to be Cremer’s.
“Today’s search resulted in the discovery of more bones, as well as clothing items — including a polar fleece jacket — that we believe are likely to belong to Celine,” Commander Nathan Johnston of Tasmania Police said in a statement. Formal forensic testing will be required to confirm her identity.
Authorities notified Cremer’s family of the latest findings and emphasized their ongoing commitment to a thorough search. “We recognize how significant these developments are for Celine’s family, and we are ensuring they receive updates as sensitively and promptly as possible,” Johnston added. Police plan to continue methodically scouring the surrounding area in the coming days.
Last month, an independent search team organized by Cremer’s friends and family located her mobile phone in the same general area, raising hopes that additional evidence could emerge. Cremer’s disappearance initially prompted a multi-agency search effort, which involved local police and volunteer search parties. Despite extensive operations, the harsh Tasmanian weather significantly hindered recovery efforts in 2023.
Tasmania’s northwest is known for dense bushland, steep terrain, and rapidly changing weather, creating particularly dangerous conditions for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The combination of isolation and severe winter elements made the original search challenging and ultimately led to the suspension of active operations in mid-2023.
Cremer’s case has drawn international attention, given her Belgian nationality and the prolonged uncertainty surrounding her disappearance. Friends and relatives have consistently appealed for renewed searches and community support to locate clues in the remote region.
While the official investigation continues, forensic teams will now examine the recovered remains and clothing to confirm whether they are indeed Cremer’s. Police have stressed the need for careful and methodical processing of the site, given both the natural hazards and the forensic significance of the items found.
