Remains in Tasmania Likely Belong to Missing Belgian Hiker
Tasmanian police say remains found in a rainforest are provisionally identified as Celine Cremer, the Belgian backpacker who vanished in 2023.
Police in Tasmania say human remains found in a Tasmanian rainforest are provisionally identified as Celine Cremer, the 31-year-old Belgian backpacker who disappeared after setting out for a hike in June 2023. Cremer went missing after a trek near Philosopher's Falls in Waratah, in the state's northwest, and authorities spent months searching through dense wilderness, often hampered by heavy rainfall, freezing temperatures, and snow.
A private search operation, organized by Cremer's family with dozens of volunteers, picked up in recent months and led to the discovery of bones along with a mobile phone, teeth, and clothing. With the family's permission, police reopened the inquiry and sought expert analysis, which now produced compelling evidence linking the remains to Cremer.
Tasmania Police Commander Nathan Johnston offered condolences to Cremer's relatives, noting that the provisional identification does not ease their loss but may provide a measure of closure. He thanked community members, search and rescue personnel, and volunteers who dedicated significant time during multiple search phases while public resources were stretched.
For months, the case confounded investigators as initial searches produced little in the way of clues. Extreme weather and challenging terrain limited access to parts of the rainforest, contributing to the long, painstaking effort. The coroner will prepare a report to formally determine the cause of death and confirm the identification, a step the family has awaited with a mix of sorrow and relief.
Cremer's disappearance captured attention in Australia and among the Belgian traveling community. The renewed focus on her case underscores how private residents and supporters can complement official police efforts when official resources are strained, and how a single lead can shift a long-running investigation toward a quieter but clearer ending.
