World News
Tasmanian coroner finds 'confluence of errors' led to death of Belgian tourist Celine Cremer
The 31-year-old went missing in June 2023 at Philosopher Falls, and her remains were located by private searchers in January 2026.
The short version
- A Tasmanian coroner ruled that 31-year-old Belgian tourist Celine Cremer died accidentally between June 17 and June 21, 2023, after becoming lost in the remote north-west wilderness.
- Coroner Madeleine Wilson cited a combination of poor preparation, fading winter light on an ill-defined track, lack of cold-weather gear, and the loss of her mobile phone as factors in her death.
- Though extensive initial police searches yielded no results, private searches organized by Cremer's family discovered her phone in late 2025 and her remains in January 2026.
Key facts
- Celine Cremer set off on a walk near Philosopher Falls in Tasmania's remote north-west on June 17, 2023, and was reported missing almost 10 days later.[The Guardian]
- Coroner Madeleine Wilson determined Cremer died from an accident between June 17 and June 21, 2023, amid near-freezing temperatures.[The Guardian]
- Cremer deviated from an ill-defined track toward Magnet Dam late in the afternoon, lacked appropriate clothing and waterproof gear, and lost her mobile phone.[The Guardian]
- While official police searches found no trace of Cremer, private search companies and volunteers organized by her family located her phone in December 2025 and her remains near the Arthur River in January 2026.[The Guardian]
- The coroner recommended the local council install warning signs at the Philosopher Falls track entrance highlighting that it is not managed for recreation and may be hazardous.[The Guardian]
- Tasmania Police has committed to reviewing how they utilize private search groups in missing persons investigations.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- The exact route Cremer took after losing her phone remains impossible to determine, and it is uncertain whether she slipped and fell or tried to cross the Arthur River.[The Guardian]