Selene Kramer’s story begins like so many travel adventures: with curiosity, beauty, and a sense of freedom. A 31-year-old photographer from Belgium, Selene had spent years exploring Europe before journeying to Tasmania in early 2023. She was drawn to the island’s wild landscapes—ancient rainforests, mist-covered mountains, and serene waterfalls. For someone who loved tranquil places, Tasmania felt like stepping into a living postcard. But on June 17, 2023, a peaceful walk toward Philosopher Falls became the beginning of a mystery that still grips hearts years later.
Philosopher Falls is tucked deep within Tasmania’s northwest. It’s a place where moss carpets the forest floor, myrtle trees stretch skyward, and the air is cool and damp even in daylight. The trail is well-marked and takes less than an hour to walk, but in winter, conditions change quickly. Cold rain, slippery paths, and sudden fog can turn a simple hike into a dangerous venture. Selene, who was traveling alone, set out that morning with no signs of hesitation. Friends say she was confident and self-reliant, often preferring to explore at her own pace.
Ten days later, her white Honda CRV was found parked at the trailhead. Inside were her belongings, untouched. Her ferry booking to Melbourne had been missed. Her phone had gone silent days earlier. Alarm spread from Belgium to Tasmania, and on June 26, authorities formally launched a search and rescue operation. The last known signal from her phone came on June 17 at 4:18 p.m., pinpointing a location deep within the forest.
What followed was one of Tasmania’s most intense search operations. Police, volunteers, drones, helicopters, and swiftwater rescue teams braved freezing rain and thick forest. Even a cadaver dog unit from New South Wales joined the effort. For weeks, crews combed the wilderness, but not a single trace of Selene emerged—no clothing, no gear, no remains.
Investigators concluded early on that foul play was unlikely. Selene was considered an inexperienced hiker, dressed only for a light day trek. Winter temperatures in that region drop near freezing after sunset, and experts said surviving overnight exposure without proper gear would be nearly impossible. By July 10, 2023, the official search was suspended. Police stated that while cases are never truly closed, there were no credible leads left to follow.
Selene’s loved ones, however, refused to let the story end there. Her family enlisted Ken Gamble, a cybercrime specialist known for aiding in complex missing person cases. Gamble accessed Selene’s Google data, uncovering more than 40 GPS points showing her path through the forest. According to his analysis, Selene had wandered off the main track, crossed a creek, and climbed toward higher ground—an area police had not thoroughly searched.
Gamble’s private team returned to the site in 2024, battling the same unforgiving terrain. Drone expert Daniel Wood employed advanced LiDAR mapping to detect anomalies on the forest floor. Though some unusual patches were identified, ground checks revealed nothing conclusive. Gamble remains convinced Selene is within a one-kilometer radius of her last phone signal, hidden by the rainforest’s dense, tangled undergrowth.
The landscape around Philosopher Falls is both breathtaking and treacherous. Interpretive signs along the trail date back to the 1800s, warning hikers about rotten branches, moss-covered sinkholes, and sudden collapses that can swallow a person without a trace. It’s a place where nature’s beauty conceals silent traps. Commander Stuart Wilkinson of Tasmania Police reiterated in 2024 that no evidence suggested foul play; all signs pointed to a tragic accident compounded by harsh conditions.
For Selene’s family in Belgium, the lack of answers is agonizing. Her mother, Arianne, has accepted that her daughter likely died in the wilderness but longs for closure. “I really hope they find my daughter again,” she said. “It would give us an answer to all the questions we have.” Her sister Amily and childhood friend Justine continue to keep her memory alive, organizing searches and sharing appeals. In December 2025, a team of friends plans to return to Tasmania for one final private ground search, supported by local authorities and volunteers.
Two years have passed since Selene vanished, yet the forest holds its silence. Her disappearance stands as a sobering reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the razor-thin line between adventure and danger. Despite cutting-edge technology and relentless determination, no trace of Selene has been found. But for those who loved her, hope endures—not for miracles, but for answers. The rainforest may be vast and unforgiving, but her story continues to echo through every tree and stream she once admired.
Authorities urge anyone who visited Philosopher Falls between June 17 and 18, 2023, to come forward with any information, no matter how small. Even a fragment of detail could bring closure to a family who has lived too long in uncertainty.
