Discovery of Missing Woman's Phone Over Two Years Later in Tasmanian Wilderness

A mobile device belonging to a woman missing for more than two years was discovered in Tasmania's wilderness, according to police reports from this past weekend.

The phone was found by a group led by friends and family of Celine Cremer on a Saturday outing near a waterfall, noted by the Tasmania Police. This marks the first trace of Cremer uncovered in the region after she vanished, aside from her vehicle, which was located 10 days subsequent to her last documented appearance in Waratah, a town on the Tasmanian island.

Investigation and Search Operations

The phone is set for forensic evaluation, and authorities have stated their intention to collaborate more formally with the independent search mission for Cremer. Originally from Belgium, Cremer was last observed on June 17, 2023, in Waratah, as per police accounts.

Detectives posit that Cremer may have driven to a scenic area known as Philosopher Falls, and embarked on a brief journey through the thick woodlands.

Tragically, she did not make it back.

Her absence was reported by friends on June 26, 2023, leading to a search initiation the following day.

Harsh Weather and Search Challenges

By this time, the region had endured severe winter weather with freezing conditions and precipitation. Medical experts consulted by the police suggested Cremer would not likely endure these conditions for an extended period. An intensive search ensued for two weeks but yielded no substantive clues to her whereabouts, and subsequent searches proved equally fruitless. The recent phone find hints that she might have deviated from the Philosopher Falls path and become lost.

The phone's discovery location, having been meticulously searched before, combined with data from the device, implies Cremer might have used an app to alter her route in an attempt to return to her car before nightfall.

It's suspected she lost her phone amidst thick vegetation and continued onward, eventually becoming lost.

Weather Delays and Search Continuation

A severe winter front has delayed ongoing search efforts, but plans to deploy officers are in place once conditions improve. While the police were not at the helm of the quest that led to the phone's discovery, they have been providing assistance through shared expertise and procedural recommendations.

Community Involvement

A dedicated team comprising Cremer's friends and adventure filmmaker Rob Parsons, who has documented his personal search efforts on YouTube, were part of the mission. Parsons remarked on the emotional impact of the phone's finding during a media interview, recalling the profound collective response among friends present at that moment.