The discovery of human remains and personal belongings believed to be linked to missing tourist Celine Cremer has raised hopes that the mystery surrounding her disappearance in Tasmania may soon be resolved.
According to AAP, Cremer, 31, was reported missing in June 2023 after she failed to return from a bushwalk at Philosopher Falls in Tasmania’s rugged northwest. Police initially conducted a two-week search before calling it off after being advised she could not have survived the freezing winter conditions.
Determined to find answers, Cremer’s family and friends later organised volunteer search efforts led by private investigator Ken Gamble. About 30 volunteers searched the area for five days last year, with a smaller group continuing the effort even after the main search concluded. Their persistence led to the discovery of human remains in late January, prompting police to resume operations, as reported by AAP.
On Sunday, police and wilderness paramedics returned to the area and located additional remains along with a car key. The search focused on a 350-metre stretch of the River Arthur, about two kilometres from Philosopher Falls near Cradle Mountain, as reported by AAP.
Although forensic testing on the remains is still underway, police confirmed the key belonged to Cremer after it successfully unlocked her vehicle.
Private investigator Ken Gamble said the recent discoveries could help explain what happened to the missing tourist.
"I think we can now make a fairly good determination about what happened to Celine," Gamble told AAP.
"We know that she got lost. We know that she lost her phone. We know that she's possibly drowned in the Arthur River."
Gamble said the findings had brought a sense of closure to the investigation, even though Cremer’s loved ones were still awaiting confirmation.
"It's given me closure as an investigator," he told AAP.
"I'm very satisfied we've done everything we can to solve the case."
He described the discovery of Cremer’s belongings as extraordinary.
"To be finding a phone and then keys and then bones and all these things, it's quite miraculous, really," Gamble said.
Police are now reviewing the latest search operation to determine whether further efforts are required. Commander Nathan Johnston said the breakthrough indicated investigators were moving in the right direction and supported the theory that Cremer became lost during her bushwalk.
Gamble also commended the police for their earlier search efforts.
"I was astounded at the amount of work they had done, the amount of searching they'd done in the background," he said.
"I don't think any criticism could be levelled against the police whatsoever. They did a very thorough job."