Massive update in search for Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer who vanished more than two years ago in Tasmania - as volunteer praises the huge 'team effort'
A body has been found in Tasmania near to where Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer vanished in June 2023, with the searcher involved describing how he made the find.
Police confirmed a bushwalker on Wednesday morning located what are believed to be human remains near the Philosopher Falls area in Waratah, on the state's west coast.
The person, 25-year-old Jarrod Boys, had been searching in that area as part of ongoing efforts to locate the 31-year-old and immediately contacted police when the discovery was made.
'I thought I'd go out this morning... to check some of the unsearched areas further northeast,' Mr Boys told Daily Mail, adding that it was how he spent his day off work.
'It was about 2.5 hours in and I happened to have stumbled upon some human remains. The first thing I saw was the lower jaw and teeth which very clearly looked human.
'I was in an instant state of shock... it's hard to describe, I've put a lot of hours into the search.'
Forensic teams are on route and formal testing is yet to be done, however, police confirmed that a pathologist has studied images of the site and is of the opinion the remains are human.
Ms Cremer went missing after she went out for a simple one-hour return hike to the waterfalls, in the state's north-west, about 73km south of Burnie.
Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer did not return from an easy hike at Philosopher Falls in 2023
Ms Cremer's car was discovered at the trailhead's car park on June 27, 2023
Mr Boys had been involved in previous larger search efforts organised by private investigator Ken Gamble, with participants local to Tasmania continuing to search independently.
'I'm very outdoors focused it's been a part of my upbringing (but) it has been just a tremendous team effort, getting breakthrough after breakthrough. So I want to give credit to everyone that's been involved.
Mr Boys especially wanted to mention searcher Alex Smith who he said was crucial in keeping the group's motivation up to search the inhospitable environment.
'I've definitely shed a lot of tears this morning. It's been a strange feeling,' he said adding that his thoughts were with Celine's family back in Belgium.
Celine's white SUV was discovered by police in the car park at Philosopher Falls on June 27, 2023. Using mobile phone data, they determined it had been parked there since June 20.
She was an experienced hiker who had been exploring Tasmania for six months and the case had baffled police, who called off the search in early July 2023 after medical experts advised she could not have survived the harsh winter conditions.
'There is no evidence of anything other than misadventure,' Tasmania Police inspector Andrew Hanson previously said.
Mr Gamble, who is a licensed and respected private investigator, took on the case and conducted searches, pro bono, in the hope of providing answers to the backpacker's distraught mother.
Private investigator Ken Gamble led the search on a pro bono basis
Two of the volunteer searchers Alex Smith (left) and Jarrod Boys (right) who found the bones
Mr Gamble remains convinced that Ms Cremer strayed from the trail and became lost
'My thoughts are first and foremost with Celine's mother, Ariane, and her family, Mr Gamble told Daily Mail on Wednesday.
'While nothing can undo the pain of losing a child, I am profoundly relieved that Ariane may finally have some measure of closure after years of uncertainty and heartbreak.'
He also acknowledge the volunteers who spent many days looking for the backpacker at their own expense.
'Their dedication, compassion, and determination never wavered... driven by nothing more than the belief that Celine deserved to be found and that her family deserved answers.'
Mr Gamble said he had initially suspected kidnapping or worse.
But he investigated several people in the region, including a man seen near Ms Cremer on CCTV at a roadhouse before her hike and individuals with criminal records, and they were all ruled out.
He said alibis were provided, there was no evidence to suggest foul play, and no other phones pinged in that area.
His company, IFW Global, has conducted four searches of the region, including at least one with a team of 25 volunteers chosen for their bushcraft and medical expertise.
Ms Cremer had been travelling around Tasmania for six months
His leading theory is that she simply strayed from the trail and became lost, succumbing to freezing temperatures and heavy rain in the days after she set off.
'I cannot overemphasise enough just how treacherous the conditions are out there. It's one of the most dangerous places I have ever searched.'
He said the search efforts had been mainly focusing on finding her belongings, such as her car keys or phone.
Philosopher Falls is one of the few tourist attractions in Waratah, population 250, which boasts a post office, a pub, and a roadhouse, along with its own spectacular waterfall in the heart of the township.
Judi Hunter - who has created a memorial for the backpacker, volunteered for the search as a cook, and is in frequent touch with Celine's mother Ariane - said many questions remained unanswered.
'Why didn't she call someone (for help)?' she said. 'She did have her phone on her.'
The last search was conducted in December and led by Mr Gamble.
Several people from around Australia responded to a call for volunteers from Tasmanian outdoorsman and YouTuber Rob Parsons to join the private search.
A new search of the forest surrounding Philosopher Falls is underway
The group battled freezing temperatures, pouring rain, fog, gusty winds and the threat of falling trees - many of which could be heard tumbling to the ground as they scrambled throughout the bush.
On the final day, the group battled soaring temperatures and tiger snakes but found her phone.
An empty glass bottle of Mt Osso Tasmanian springwater with the lid on a black garbage bag fashioned into a poncho were also found tucked beside a fallen tree which Celine may have used for shelter.
It was later discovered that the brand of water was not sold in Waratah, but at the French restaurant in Coles Bay where Celine worked.
Celine's phone data suggests she left the marked trail for unknown reasons.
She was understood to be confident in the outdoors, familiar with Tasmania's unpredictable conditions, and had a good head on her shoulders.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
