Human remains found in search for Belgian backpacker missing in Tasmanian wilderness since 2023

Police say Celine Cremer’s family was told of the discovery on Wednesday and that forensic testing was yet to take place

Human remains have been discovered near a remote location where a Belgian hiker disappeared more than two years ago.

Police say a bushwalker found the remains during a search for Celine Cremer, who was last seen in the Philosopher Falls area near Cradle Mountain in Tasmania’s north-west on 17 June 2023.

The 31-year-old was reported missing by her family on 26 June, sparking a major search involving police and SES ground crews, specialist swift water rescue personnel, drones and a helicopter.

Cremer was believed to have set off on a walk, and her car was found in the falls car park a day after the missing person’s report was filed.

Celine Cremer was thought to be walking to Philosopher Falls in Tasmania on 17 June when she went missing.

Inspector Andrew Hanson confirmed on Wednesday that the woman’s family in Belgium had been informed of the discovery.

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

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

Human remains have been discovered near a remote location where a Belgian hiker disappeared more than two years ago.

Police say a bushwalker found the remains during a search for Celine Cremer, who was last seen in the Philosopher Falls area near Cradle Mountain in Tasmania’s north-west on 17 June 2023.

The 31-year-old was reported missing by her family on 26 June, sparking a major search involving police and SES ground crews, specialist swift water rescue personnel, drones and a helicopter.

Cremer was believed to have set off on a walk, and her car was found in the falls car park a day after the missing person’s report was filed.

Celine Cremer was thought to be walking to Philosopher Falls in Tasmania on 17 June when she went missing.

Inspector Andrew Hanson confirmed on Wednesday that the woman’s family in Belgium had been informed of the discovery.

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

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

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A privately led renewed search began in December 2025, with members of the group finding Cremer’s phone in the Philosopher Falls area.

An initial search was suspended on 10 July 2023, after experts said Cremer could not have survived in bad weather.

Police then deployed a cadaver dog to search an additional “area of interest” at Philosopher Falls following new information about her phone activity, but that investigation was unsuccessful.

Hanson said the discovery would have been a distressing development for her loved ones.

“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 added.

“The person who located these remains has been dedicated to searching for Celine for some time, and their continued efforts and that of other volunteer search parties reflects the strong community support behind this matter.”