New Evidence Uncovered in Search for Belgian Backpacker Missing Since 2023
Police in the Australian state of Tasmania have made significant discoveries during a recent search operation for a Belgian backpacker who vanished in the wilderness nearly three years ago. The latest findings include car keys confirmed to belong to Celine Cremer, alongside human remains, providing new hope for resolving the long-standing mystery.
Discovery of Key Evidence
During a focused two-day operation over the weekend, specialist search teams located a Honda car key that has been formally verified as belonging to Cremer. The key was found in a remote section of the Arthur River, approximately 300 kilometers northwest of Hobart. Police Commander Nathan Johnston confirmed that the key successfully operated Cremer's vehicle, which was discovered parked at Philosopher Falls shortly after her disappearance.
"We tried the key, and it worked," Commander Johnston stated during a press briefing. "Police have today formally verified that the car key belongs to Celine."
Additional Human Remains Located
Alongside the car key, search teams recovered five bones and two teeth from the same area. These items were found embedded in the riverbed and beneath debris along a 350-meter stretch of riverbank that was meticulously examined. The human remains are currently undergoing forensic examination, though a pathologist has already reviewed images and confirmed they are human.
Inspector Andrew Hanson noted that previously recovered clothing, a mobile phone, and other personal belongings point to the "possibility that it is Celine." Authorities are conducting secondary investigations to establish positive identification through coordination with the coroner and forensic specialists.
Challenging Search Conditions
The search operation has been conducted under extremely difficult conditions. Wilderness paramedics and police officers were winched into the isolated area and forced to camp overnight due to severe weather. Cadaver dogs assisted in the latest efforts, which followed the discovery of human remains two weeks earlier near where Cremer was last seen.
Commander Johnston acknowledged the toll on search crews: "Due to the large time span of the search, and the involvement of Tasmania Police personnel and members of Ambulance Tasmania ... due to the conditions, it has been very trying for them." He commended their dedication alongside volunteers and community members who have participated in the three-year effort.
Background of the Disappearance
Celine Cremer, a 31-year-old Belgian backpacker, was last seen on June 17, 2023, when she embarked on a short bushwalk at Philosopher Falls. Her friends reported her missing nine days later when she failed to return. Her vehicle was subsequently found parked at the popular hiking spot, but no trace of Cremer was located until recent search intensifications.
Private investigator Ken Gamble, who has been involved in the search, described finding the car keys as "like finding a needle in a haystack." He told the Australian Associated Press: "To be finding a phone and then keys and then bones and all these things, it's quite miraculous, really."
Investigation Progress and Family Liaison
Police maintain close contact with Cremer's family as the investigation continues. Commander Johnston emphasized: "We are continuing our liaison with Celine's family to keep them informed as we review the search efforts to date." He added that authorities hope to provide closure for the family, whose daughter has been missing for several years.
Forensic specialists are now conducting detailed reviews of all recovered evidence to determine next steps. "The specialists do a review of the work undertaken already and from that, they can provide a recommendation on what we do into the future," Johnston explained. "A big part for us is to try and find as much as we can, and if it is Celine, to reunite as many items that we can to her family."
Private investigator Ken Gamble expressed satisfaction with the progress: "I think we can now make a fairly good determination about what happened to Celine. We know that she got lost. We know that she lost her phone. We know that she's possibly drowned in the Arthur River. It's given me closure as an investigator."
