The father of a teenager found dead at an Australian tourist resort says her family’s hearts are “shattered” by the tragedy.
Canadian backpacker Piper James, 19, was on holiday in K’gari, Queensland, when she went swimming early on Monday morning.
She had not returned and her body was discovered a short time later on the shoreline near the SS Maheno shipwreck – a popular tourist site – surrounded by about ten dingoes.
Police have not confirmed whether James drowned or died as a result of a dingo attack.
Her cause of death will be determined by a post-mortem examination, which will be conducted on Wednesday.
The body of Piper James was discovered on the shoreline near the shipwreck of the SS Maheno. Source: MONKEY / Sha McDonald
“Our hearts are broken as we share the tragic loss of our beautiful daughter Piper,” her father Todd James said in a tribute on social media.
“We will always remember her infectious laugh and her kind spirit. I admired her strength and determination to pursue her dreams.”
James had been living and working as a backpacker on K’gari for about six weeks, with a friend from Canada.
Her father had approved her trip to Australia, saying his daughter had joked, “Because I’m 18 and you can’t stop me!”
“I loved hearing and seeing the bonds and friendships she developed as she grew into her beautiful self,” he said.
“Piper would work hard so she could play hard.
“You will be missed by so many, my precious little girl. Maybe gone, but how can we ever forget you? The pain…RIP my baby.”
Grandmother Penny Vanalstine Marshall said James was a beacon of strength who would be cherished forever.
“She was the most cheerful girl,” she said.
“She had a spirit of unbridled joy and courage. She was a beacon of strength and fearless adventure.
“She was also the most caring girl you could meet.”
Rangers stepped up patrols of the island following the tragedy, which came just weeks after a warning about aggressive dingo behavior near where James was found.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli on Wednesday ruled out a ban on tourists on the island as authorities await autopsy results.
“A young woman … lost her life on the holiday of a lifetime and it’s really disturbing,” he said.
“We need to recognize that and then turn our attention to the next step, which is for authorities to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.”
Rangers warned of “increased dingo activity” in the area just weeks before the tragedy. This followed reports of wild dogs tearing up tents, approaching campers and stealing food and property.
The warning remains in effect on K’gari for the summer holidays – until January 31.
Crisafulli described K’gari as a “very special part of the state”.
“We have to be respectful and we have to acknowledge the tragedy for the family and for the wider community on K’gari – it’s really difficult,” he said.
“We are committed to getting to the bottom of the matter and then we will respond.
“But … in the course of the debate, let us not lose sight of the fact that a young woman lost her life.”
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