Police will officially join private investigators and local volunteers to search Tasmania’s wilderness for Belgian tourist Celine Cremer, two-and-a-half years after she vanished. Cremer’s Samsung phone was found on Saturday near Philosopher Falls, close to Cradle Mountain, where she was last seen on June 17, 2023. Inspector Andrew Hanson said, “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 confirmed the phone belonged to Celine and that it will undergo forensic examination. The phone was discovered in an area “extensively searched previously.” Officials believe Cremer may have used an app on her phone to take a shortcut back to her car as daylight faded. Inspector Hanson said, “We suspect she dropped her phone and continued without it, becoming disoriented in dense terrain.” Cremer had parked her car at Philosopher Falls and set out on what was meant to be a short bushwalk. Nine days later, when she had not returned, friends reported her missing. Police found her white SUV the next day in the local car park. Inspector Hanson highlighted that the area experienced harsh winter weather with subzero temperatures, snow, and rain after her disappearance. Medical experts said these conditions were likely not survivable for that length of time. The search was paused Sunday due to rain, hail, and possible snow after a weather alert from the Bureau of Meteorology. The initial police search lasted two weeks before being called off when experts concluded Cremer was unlikely to have survived. Many searches have taken place since with no clues until the phone was found. Tasmanian historian Rob Parsons praised SES volunteer Tony Hage for finding the phone after over 20 solo trips. Parsons said, “Tony located Celine’s mobile phone less than 100 metres from her last known GPS point,” confirming her likely path. Inspector Hanson said, “When the search recommences, we will work together with the independent searchers to specifically re-search the area where the phone was located and the likely route Celine may have taken after losing it.” The search will continue once weather conditions improve.