Search for Celine Cremer suspended again as cadaver dog finds no trace of missing Belgian tourist
- In short: A cadaver dog on loan from NSW has found no trace of missing tourist Celine Cremer, with a Belgian friend of the 31-year-old also visiting the Philosopher Falls track
- What's next? Tasmania Police say the search has now been formally suspended but while she remains missing, the case will never be closed
A weekend search of dense bushland in Tasmania's north-west using a cadaver dog on loan from NSW Police has failed to find any sign of missing Belgian tourist Celine Cremer.
The search for the missing tourist, thought to have disappeared on a bushwalk at Philosopher Falls more than a month ago, had previously been officially suspended but the use of a cadaver dog had offered some hope of resolution.
Waggs the dog was initially brought to Tasmania last week to help search for teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell — who disappeared from Launceston in April.
The dog was repurposed to the Cremer search in the state's north-west when the search for Shyanne-Lee uncovered human remains on the first day.
Celine Cremer, 31, was reported missing on June 26 when she failed to get on the Spirit of Tasmania as planned.
Her car was found in the car park of the Philosopher Falls walking track near Waratah the next day, although police believe she may have arrived there as early as June 17.
Search and rescue teams and swift-water rescue experts spent weeks scouring the area but were hampered by wild weather and high water levels.
The search was formally suspended on July 10 but police said new information regarding Ms Cremer's phone activity highlighted an "additional area of interest".
Police Western District Commander Stuart Wilkinson said Waggs had spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday searching that area.
"While every effort was made during this latest search, sadly, Celine remains missing," he said.
"The searchers faced extremely poor weather conditions and every effort was made to try and locate her."
Friend from Belgium walks track with police
Commander Wilkinson said a "very close" female friend of Ms Cremer had flown to Tasmania and visited the Philosopher Falls area over the weekend.
"We travelled the track with her, we've run her through in very significant detail what we have done and kept them appraised every step of the way."
He said police had maintained contact with Ms Cremer's family, who had been appreciative of the efforts to find her.
Commander Wilkinson said while police were of the view there "aren't any suspicious circumstances" in relation to the disappearance, they "always keep an open mind".
"We do have evidence of Celine going off Philosopher Falls track, the terrain is extremely challenging.
"Like many areas of Tasmania when you go off those formed tracks you can walk 15 metres into that bushland, turn around and feel like you're not quite sure where you are.
"The conditions in that area, they're very dark, wind, rain, snow, hail, they are the things we think Celine has found herself in, resulting in her disappearing."
Commander Wilkinson said the area was now open to the public.
"We are satisfied the area Celine is most likely in is not where people will generally go to, we feel she has gone well-off the beaten track, however if we receive information that needs following up that we deem is credible we will certainly do that.
"We will do that tomorrow, we will do that in 10 years."