The Coroners Court of Queensland’s autopsy on the body of a teenager found dead surrounded by wild dingoes at an iconic Australian tourist spot has found physical evidence consistent with drowning.
Canadian backpacker Piper James, 19, was on the holiday of a lifetime at K’gari (Fraser Island) in Queensland when she went for a swim early on Monday morning. She never came back.
Her body was discovered a short time later on the coastline near a popular tourist spot, the SS Maheno shipwreck, surrounded by about ten dingoes.
The coroner has completed a preliminary investigation and is now awaiting pathology results to further assist in determining the cause of death, a spokesperson for the Coroners Court of Queensland said in a statement on Friday.
This process is expected to take several weeks.
The autopsy found physical evidence consistent with drowning and injuries consistent with dingo bites, the spokesperson said.
Pre-mortem dingo bite marks are unlikely to have resulted in immediate death, the spokesman said.
There are extensive post-mortem dingo bite marks.
There are no indications that any other persons were involved.
Dingo activity
James’ family is devastated by the tragedy.
“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 at a backpackers on K’gari for about six weeks, with a friend from Canada.
Canadian backpacker Piper James, 19, was on holiday in K’gari in Queensland. Source: Delivered / Todd James
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 waited for autopsy results.
Rangers warned of “increased dingo activity” in the area where James died just weeks before the tragedy after reports of wild dogs tearing up tents, approaching campers and stealing food and property.
The warning remains in effect for K’gari for the summer holiday period up to and including January 31.
For the latest news from SBS News, download our app And subscribe to our newsletter.
#coroners #autopsy #Canadian #backpacker #drowning