Missing Belgian woman’s phone found two years after she disappeared in Australia

A private search party in Tasmania, Australia, has discovered the mobile phone of Celine Cremer, a Belgian woman who vanished over two years ago. Tasmanian police announced Sunday they are joining the renewed search effort.

Cremer went missing in June 2023 near Philosopher Falls. A few days after her disappearance, police located her car nearby, but initial searches of the bushland failed to find any trace of her.

Friends and family organized this weekend's private search near Philosopher Falls. On Saturday, the search team located Cremer's mobile phone in an area previously searched by authorities. Police have confirmed the phone belongs to Cremer and will conduct a forensic examination of the device.

Inspector Andrew Hanson stated that the phone's data and location support the theory that Cremer attempted a shortcut from the Philosopher Falls track back to her car as daylight faded. Police believe she may have dropped the phone and, disoriented in the dense terrain, continued without it.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that four of Cremer's friends traveled from Belgium to participate in the renewed five-day search, which began Saturday. Cremer was last seen on June 17, 2023, and reported missing nine days later. Police noted that winter weather conditions hampered initial search efforts.