Coroner Madeleine Wilson has officially ruled the death of 31-year-old Belgian tourist Celine Cremer an accident, concluding she became lost in Tasmania’s remote north-west wilderness in June 2023. The findings, released today, Friday, August 28, 2026, also include a recommendation for Tasmania Police to consider formalising the use of private search groups in future missing person investigations.
Ms Cremer disappeared after setting out for a walk at Philosopher Falls near Wynyard on June 17, 2023. Her vehicle was later located in the car park of the Philosopher Falls Track on June 27, 2023, believed to have been there since at least June 20. She was reported missing on June 26, 2023.
According to Coroner Wilson’s findings, Ms Cremer’s death occurred between June 17 and 21, 2023. The coroner determined that after visiting the lookout at Philosopher Falls, Ms Cremer deviated from the main path, taking a trail towards Magnet Dam instead of returning directly to the car park. It is believed she subsequently became lost, likely without her mobile phone.
Human remains, provisionally identified as belonging to Ms Cremer, were discovered by a volunteer searcher in late January 2026 near a river in the area. Tasmania Police confirmed the provisional identification in February 2026, extending their condolences to Ms Cremer’s family and loved ones. The coroner’s findings conclusively ruled out the involvement of any other person in Ms Cremer’s death.
During the extensive search efforts, a water bottle and plastic bags with holes were found near a fallen tree, which some searchers initially believed could have been an improvised poncho. However, forensic analysis did not find Ms Cremer’s DNA on the bottle, instead detecting male DNA. Male DNA was also found on the bags, with female DNA results being inconclusive. Coroner Wilson noted that these items do not provide evidence that Ms Cremer found shelter there.
The initial police search in 2023 was complicated by high water levels in the Arthur River, though the coroner found the police’s response at the time to be appropriate. Ms Cremer’s family later engaged a private investigator, Ken Gamble of IFW Global, who assembled a team of volunteers. These private search efforts led to the discovery of Ms Cremer’s phone in December 2025, which prompted police to rejoin the operation, and subsequently the discovery of her remains.
In light of the extensive involvement of private groups in the search, Coroner Wilson recommended that Tasmania Police investigate formalising their engagement in missing person cases. This would include establishing clear rules for information sharing and the handling of evidence.
For more details, readers are encouraged to refer to the original reporting by ABC News Tasmania.