The discovery of a mobile phone belonging to missing Belgian tourist Céline Cremer has reignited attention on one of Tasmania’s most troubling unsolved disappearance cases. The device was found during a recent private search operation in the island state’s rugged northwest.
Céline Cremer, 31, from Liège, vanished in June 2023 while travelling alone in Tasmania. She was last seen on 17 June in the small town of Waratah, a remote area surrounded by dense bushland and popular hiking routes.
Her disappearance raised alarm after she failed to board a scheduled ferry crossing. Friends and family, unable to reach her, contacted authorities, triggering an extensive search effort by Tasmanian police and emergency services.
Investigators soon located her rental car parked at the trailhead leading to Philosopher Falls, a scenic but challenging hiking destination about 10 kilometres from Waratah. The discovery intensified fears that something had gone wrong during her trek.
Search teams combed the area for weeks, battling thick vegetation, steep terrain, and harsh winter conditions. Despite the deployment of specialist units, helicopters, and volunteers, no trace of Céline was found.
In July 2023, police formally suspended the search, citing difficult conditions and the absence of new leads. The decision was devastating for Céline’s family, who continued to seek answers from thousands of kilometres away.
Nearly two years later, a significant development has emerged. During a privately organised search led by Australian investigator Ken Gamble, a volunteer uncovered a Samsung mobile phone with a distinctive lilac case.
The search operation involved four of Céline’s Belgian friends, who travelled to Tasmania to retrace her last known steps. The phone was located approximately 60 metres from her last recorded location data point.
Ken Gamble described the emotional moment of the discovery in comments to Australian broadcaster ABC News. He said the volunteer was overwhelmed, while Céline’s friends were visibly relieved that something tangible had finally been found.
The phone’s serial number confirmed it belonged to Céline, and her friends immediately recognised both the device and its case. Authorities were notified, and the phone was handed over for forensic examination.
Tasmanian police have confirmed they are now analysing the device, hoping it may contain data that sheds light on Céline’s movements or final moments. Even damaged devices can sometimes yield crucial information.
Police had previously suggested Céline may have begun her hike in poor weather conditions. Tasmanian winters are notoriously unforgiving, with sudden snowfall, freezing temperatures, and limited visibility in forested areas.
In June, temperatures in the region can fall below zero degrees Celsius, increasing the risk of hypothermia. The dense bushland around Philosopher Falls also makes navigation and search operations particularly difficult.
The renewed focus on the case has drawn attention to the dangers faced by solo travellers in remote environments. Local authorities continue to stress the importance of preparation, weather awareness, and communication when hiking in Tasmania.
For Céline’s family and friends, the phone’s discovery represents both hope and renewed anguish. While it may provide answers, it also reopens painful questions left unresolved since her disappearance.
As investigators examine the device, those closest to Céline are once again waiting, hoping this small but significant find may finally lead to clarity in a mystery that has lingered for nearly two years.
