A Canadian backpacker, found dead on an Australian beach surrounded by dingoes earlier this week, likely died of drowning, according to recent autopsy results. The deceased, identified as 19-year-old Piper James, had physical evidence that suggested drowning, alongside injuries consistent with dingo bites, as reported by a spokesperson from the Coroners Court of Queensland.
The spokesperson also noted that while pre-mortem dingo bite marks were present, they were not likely to have caused her immediate death. The autopsy was part of a preliminary assessment, with the exact cause of death potentially taking several weeks to confirm.
Piper’s body was discovered on Monday morning on K'Gari (formerly Fraser Island), a popular tourist destination off Queensland's eastern coast. In a statement issued to the BBC, the coroner mentioned the presence of extensive post-mortem dingo bite marks and ruled out any involvement from other individuals.
Her father, Todd James, expressed a sense of relief that the autopsy results would allow the family to bring her body back to Canada. Her mother, Angela, shared that Piper had always dreamed of traveling and had saved up for this trip after graduating high school. Despite their concerns about her traveling alone at a young age, Piper was determined to explore the world.
Piper had been staying and working at a backpacking hostel for approximately six weeks prior to her death. Friends reported that she had planned to go for a swim shortly before her body was found around 6:30 a.m., local time, near the iconic Maheno shipwreck, which has become a tourism landmark since it washed ashore in 1935.
The area where Piper was found is known for its dingo population; approximately 200 dingoes reside on K'Gari, according to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service guidelines. The incident has raised concerns regarding the safety of travelers in regions home to wild animals.
