HUMAN remains have been found after the discovery of a phone triggered a fresh search for a missing backpacker – two years after her disappearance.
Celine Cremer, 31, was last seen hiking near a mountain in Australia before she seemingly vanished into thin air.
Cops were left completely puzzled over the sudden disappearance of the Belgian tourist, who was last seen in the Philosopher Falls area in northwest Tasmania on June 17, 2023.
Now a bushwalker has found human remains have been found near Celine’s last known location.
Tasmania Police Inspector Andrew Hanson said the remains were discovered as the bushwalker searched the area as part of continuing efforts to locate the missing tourist.
He said: “While forensic testing is yet to be completed, a pathologist has reviewed images and confirmed the remains are human.
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“The volunteer contacted police immediately after the discovery, and officers from the Western District, along with specialist forensic personnel, are attending the scene.”
Celine’s family were told of the horrifying discovery this afternoon.
Hanson added that he hopes the discovery, while distressing, will help provide the answers for which her relatives have been so desperately searching.
The cop also reiterated that the remains have yet to be formally identified.
He said: “We understand how distressing this development may be for her loved ones, and 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.”
“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.”
Jarrod Boys, who found the remains, told the ABC: “I was just praying for a miracle that I’d be able to find something today.”
“I guess I went into shock. I was very overwhelmed.
“I’m not a particularly emotional guy, but yeah, it was definitely an emotional experience for me.”
It comes after the breakthrough discovery last month, when a determined group of volunteers – including Celine’s family and friends from Belgium – found her mobile phone.
The remains were discovered about two hours by foot from where the phone was, an area the search party had not yet covered.
Finder Jarrod said: “The bones that I saw were just lying on top of a pile of soil and stones.”
Despite months of fruitless search efforts, the Samsung phone was found “less than 100 metres from her last known GPS point”, Tasmanian explorer Rob Parsons said.
A bombshell photo showed the phone as it was found under foiliage.
Parsons added: “This proves the theory that Celine lost her phone shortly after recording her final location and provides clear direction on the path she was heading.
“While there is still work to be done before we have full closure, this is a significant step forward.”
It is thought that the backpacker had gone on a bushwalk at Philosopher Falls, but lost her way trying to get back to her car.
Celine’s empty white Honda CRV was discovered in a car park nearby.
The rescue team member who found the phone, Tony Hage, said of his shock discovery: “I couldn’t talk. I just could not talk.”