Human remains and clothing were found on Friday during the search for the Belgian national Celine Cremerwho disappeared in 2023 in the Australian island state of Tasmania, police said.

The search for the 31-year-old was called off in July 2023 more than three weeks after she disappeared in the island’s picturesque north-west, with police saying she could not have survived the cold and wet weather.

She left her car equipped for a leisurely day walk around Philosopher’s Falls in the Waratah on June 20, the last day her mobile phone had a signal, detectives said at the time.

Some human remains were found near Philosopher’s Falls on Wednesday. said the police. Police said Friday they have located more remains and clothing that investigators say likely belonged to Cremer.

“Today’s search has resulted in the discovery of multiple bones, as well as items of clothing – including a polar fleece jacket – which we believe likely belong to Celine,” Commander Nathan Johnston said. it is stated in the press release from Friday.

Official forensic identification will take time, but police said they believe the location and nature of the items found “indicate they are likely Celine’s”.

Her family has been notified, authorities said.

“We understand how significant these events are to Celine’s family and are ensuring they receive updates as sensitively and quickly as possible,” Johnston said. “Our search team continued to work today until the early hours of the evening and the plan is for the police to continue to methodically search the area tomorrow.”

Last month, an independent search organized by Cremer’s friends and family found her phone in the same area.

Her friends reported her missing to Tasmania Police on June 26, 2023, and the original search began the next day, police said.

By then, the area had already experienced an intense winter period, including sub-zero temperatures, snow and rain. Medical experts at the time advised police that Cremer could not have survived so many days in the wild under those conditions.