URGENT UPDATE: Human remains have been discovered in a remote area of Tasmania, reigniting the search for missing Belgian tourist Celine Cremer, who vanished over two years ago. The grim find was made by a bushwalker on Wednesday, prompting authorities to launch an immediate investigation near Philosopher Falls.
The remains, located on an isolated river bed, include a jawbone and are part of a wider discovery of five additional items believed to be human remains. Police are treating this case as a separate investigation until the identity is confirmed, according to Inspector Andrew Hanson of the Tasmania Police.
Testing to confirm the identity of the remains is expected to take several weeks, as pathologists, anthropologists, and forensic experts analyze the bones. “Each of those steps take time and it could take weeks before we actually have any answers,” said Hanson.
A team of officers is set to return to the area on Friday, approximately 400 to 500 meters downstream from where the remains were found. They will conduct a line search along the Arthur River, combing through the water for any additional evidence.
Cremer, aged 31 when she disappeared on June 17, 2023, was last seen in the Philosopher Falls area. Her family reported her missing on June 26, 2023, leading to an extensive search involving police, SES ground crews, drones, and helicopters. Her vehicle was located in the falls car park shortly after her family raised the alarm.
The initial search was suspended after two weeks due to harsh weather conditions, with experts concluding that Cremer may not have survived. A renewed search effort began after her phone was found in December 2025, leading volunteers back to the area in hopes of uncovering new evidence.
The bushwalker who discovered the remains demonstrated remarkable initiative, documenting the site and sharing crucial information with authorities. “He identified that the remains, or the bones, were what they were, he took some photographs of them, he recorded the exact location and moved out of the area where he got mobile phone coverage,” Hanson detailed.
The area where the remains were found had previously been searched by helicopter but not by foot due to inclement weather. This latest discovery has been communicated to Cremer’s family in Belgium, who have been anxiously awaiting news.
As authorities continue their investigation, the community remains hopeful for answers in this tragic case. With ongoing searches and forensic testing, the situation is developing rapidly, and updates are expected soon.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story, as the search for Celine Cremer takes a critical turn.
