PHONE DATA COULD REWRITE THE TIMELINE
Forensic experts are analyzing the remaining data on Celine Cremer’s phone, from GPS history to the last signals before the battery ran out. A source said, “We’re reconstructing every single step she took,” opening up the possibility of pinpointing exactly where she last stopped. Click the link in the comments below. 👇

Huge update in hunt for missing tourist

Tasmania Police have revealed they will dedicate new resources to the search for a missing tourist after a volunteer group uncovered her phone.

Celine Cremer, a tourist visiting Australia from Belgium, was last seen on a walking trail near Philosopher Falls outside Waratah in Tasmania’s northwest on June 17, 2023.

Shortly before midday on Saturday, a volunteer search group organised by Ms Cremer’s friends and family located the missing woman’s phone near Philosopher Falls.

On Sunday, Tasmania Police Inspector Andrew Hanson confirmed the phone had been verified as belonging to Ms Cremer.

“The phone was found in an area that has been extensively searched previously and phone data, as well as the location it was found, supports our theory that Celine may have, using an app on her phone, elected to leave the Philosopher Falls track to take more a direct route back to her car as daylight faded,” he said.

“We suspect she dropped her phone and continued without it, becoming disoriented in dense terrain.”

Huge update in hunt for missing tourist

Inspector Hanson said Tasmania Police would now formally join the search, with search and rescue officers and SES volunteers on the ground.

“Police were not leading or coordinating this private search, but we had been supporting the effort by sharing information and advice about what to do should anything be discovered,” he said.

“Tasmania Police resources are now formally joining the independent search effort, and we will have trained search and rescue officers and SES volunteers on the ground when weather conditions allow the search to continue.”

The search has been postponed on Sunday by the independent search controller for safety reasons due to rain, hail and potential snow. 

The find comes as a private search party, featuring four of Ms Cremer’s friends from Belgium, a private investigator and Tasmania Police, are conducting a renewed search of the trail.

Speaking to the ABC, volunteer Tony said the group felt a sense of relief when they saw her distinctive mauve-coloured Samsung in the bushes.

“You could see they were delighted something was positively found,” he told the broadcaster.

“Everyone has high spirits now.”

A white Honda CRV belonging to Ms Cremer was found at the track of Philosopher Falls about a week after her disappearance.

The last confirmed sighting of Ms Cremer was in Waratah on June 17, 2023.

It’s believed she drove to Philosopher Falls, parked her car and set off on what was meant to be a short bushwalk.

Police initially conducted a two week search and have undertaken a number of renewed searches in the following two years, but Saturday’s discovery is the first sign of Ms Cremer.

“While finding her phone has provided some hope for the many people invested in this matter, it is a stark reminder for Celine’s loved ones of the tragedy of their loss,”Inspector Hanson said.

Police remain in close contact with Ms Cremer’s family in Belgium as the renewed search continues.