Autopsy points to teen, surrounded by dingoes, drowning
An 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 having the holiday of a lifetime on Queensland’s K’gari (Fraser Island) when she went for an early morning swim on Monday. He never returned.
His body was found a short time later, surrounded by about 10 dingoes, on the shoreline near the SS Maheno shipwreck, a popular tourist site.
A Queensland Coroner’s Court spokesman told AAP the coroner had completed a preliminary assessment and was awaiting pathology results to further assist in determining the cause of death.
This process is expected to take several weeks. The autopsy found physical evidence of strangulation and injuries consistent with dingo bites, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said ante-mortem dingo bite marks were unlikely to have caused sudden death.
There are numerous post-mortem dingo bite marks. There is no evidence that anyone else was involved.
Ms James’ family is devastated by the tragedy.
“Our hearts are shattered as we share the tragic loss of our beautiful daughter, Piper,” her father, Todd James, said in a statement on social media. he said.
“We will always remember her infectious smile and kind spirit. I admired her strength and determination to pursue her dreams.”
Ms James had been living and working alongside backpackers in K’gari with a Canadian friend for about six weeks.
Rangers have stepped up patrols across the island following the tragedy, which came just weeks after an alert was issued about aggressive dingo behavior near where Ms James was found.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli on Wednesday ruled out a tourist ban on the island as officials await autopsy results.
Rangers warned of “high dingo activity” in the area where Miss James died just weeks before the tragedy, following reports of wild dogs tearing apart tents, approaching campers and stealing food and property.
The warning for the summer holiday period in K’gari will be valid until January 31.
