Tasmanian Remains Provisionally Identified as Missing Belgian Backpacker Celine Cremer

Tasmania Police announced that human remains recovered from the Arthur River have been provisionally identified as 31-year-old Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer, Commander Nathan Johnston saying expert reports had "provided compelling evidence" the remains were likely hers. The provisional identification was released with Cremer’s family's permission and will be followed by a report to the coroner.

Cremer was last seen leaving for a short bushwalk near Philosopher Falls in the Cradle Mountain region on 17 June 2023 and was reported missing by friends and family on 26 June 2023. Her car was found at the Philosopher Falls falls car park shortly after she disappeared, and an official search in June 2023 deployed police and SES ground crews, specialist swift-water rescue personnel, drones and a helicopter.

More than two years after official searches wound down, Cremer’s family organised privately funded efforts that resumed in December 2025. Members of that private search located her mobile phone near Philosopher Falls in December 2025. The private operation included family members and online volunteers and led to continued searches in the area.

On 28 January 2026 volunteer searcher Jarrod Boys set out on a solo downstream search of the Arthur River and discovered human remains, prompting him to alert Tasmania Police. The remains were found on a stretch of the Arthur River about 2 kilometres from Cremer’s last known location near Philosopher Falls.

Follow-up police searches in early February recovered additional material evidence believed linked to the case, including bones, teeth, items of clothing and a Honda car key. Five bones were among the material recovered during subsequent searches, and police recorded finding car keys and more bones on 8 February 2026 during those operations.

Commander Nathan Johnston thanked the community and the many volunteers involved in the multi-year effort, saying, "We want to thank community members for their ongoing support and interest in Celine's case," and acknowledging the search teams and partner agencies who took part. He added a note on the family's loss and the limits of the provisional finding: "While this provisional confirmation will not ease their loss, we hope the outcome will provide them with some measure of clarity and closure."

Police emphasised the identification is provisional and said further forensic investigation is required before any definitive conclusion is reached. A formal report will be prepared for the coroner, who must make an official determination of identity and oversee any next steps in the investigation. Cremer’s family said they "finally have answers" as the case moves toward the coroner’s review.