In a stunning development that has reignited hope and intrigue in one of Australia’s most baffling missing persons cases, the mobile phone belonging to Belgian hiker Celine Cremer has been discovered in the dense wilderness of Tasmania’s Philosopher Falls area. The 31-year-old vanished without a trace in June 2023 during what was supposed to be a short day hike, leaving her family in Belgium desperate for answers.

Cremer, an experienced traveler from Liège who had been exploring Australia for months, was last seen on June 17, 2023, in the small town of Waratah. She parked her white Honda CRV at the Philosopher Falls trailhead and set off on the popular but rugged track. When she failed to board a scheduled ferry days later, friends raised the alarm. Police soon located her abandoned vehicle, but extensive initial searches – involving helicopters, ground teams, and harsh winter conditions with sub-zero temperatures, snow, and rain – turned up nothing. Experts concluded survival beyond a few days was impossible in such an environment.

For over two years, the case grew cold despite occasional follow-up efforts. Cremer’s disappearance joined a list of unsolved mysteries in Tasmania’s treacherous tarkine rainforest, where dense vegetation and steep terrain often swallow clues. Her mother, Ariane, and friends never gave up, fundraising and coordinating with volunteers.

The breakthrough came on December 13, 2025, during a privately organized search led by Australian private investigator Ken Gamble, working pro bono. Four of Cremer’s close friends flew from Belgium to join local volunteers, including seasoned bushwalker Tony Hage. Within hours of starting, Hage spotted a mauve-cased Samsung phone less than 100 meters from Cremer’s last known GPS point – an area police had “extensively searched” previously.

Tasmania Police quickly confirmed the device belonged to Cremer via its serial number. Inspector Andrew Hanson stated that phone data supports the theory she may have used a navigation app to attempt a shortcut off the trail as daylight faded, possibly dropping the phone and becoming disoriented in the thick bush. “We suspect she continued without it,” Hanson said, adding that forensic examination could reveal more about her final movements.

The discovery has prompted police to formally join the independent search, deploying trained officers and SES volunteers once weather improves. While no remains have been found, the phone’s location – just 60 meters from her final coordinates – offers the strongest lead yet.

For Cremer’s loved ones, the find brings mixed emotions: relief at progress, but renewed pain over what might have been a preventable tragedy. Friends described the moment as emotional, with immediate updates sent to her mother in Belgium. As forensic experts analyze the device for potential data like photos, logs, or connections, questions linger: Could unlocked information explain her fate? The renewed effort underscores the perils of solo hiking in remote areas and the enduring power of community determination in seeking closure.

This case highlights Tasmania’s challenging wilderness, where even short walks can turn deadly. As searches continue, many hope this clue finally leads to answers for a family torn apart by uncertainty.