Devastated parents speak out after Canadian teen found dead surrounded by dingoes on Australian island

a person’s parents Canadian woman found dead on a remote Australian island While authorities are investigating whether the woman drowned or was attacked by dingoes, they say they have difficulty understanding the loss.

19-year-old Piper James was discovered early Monday morning. beach On the World Heritage sand island of K’gari QueenslandNear the Maheno wreck.

Police launched an investigation into the circumstances of his death, saying his body was found surrounded by a herd of dingoes.

A post-mortem examination began this week, with the Queensland Coroner tasked with determining whether the teenager died after entering the ocean, from injuries inflicted by wild animals or from another cause.

Officials say more forensic testing will be needed before a conclusion can be reached.

This wait is painful for his family. “Our hearts are shattered as we share the tragic loss of our beautiful daughter, Piper,” Todd James wrote on social media.

“We will always remember her infectious smile and kind spirit. I was in awe of her strength and determination to follow her dreams.”

She said her daughter was excited to travel to Australia and valued the friendships she made along the way.

The young girl had been living and working on K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, for six weeks; She was working as a maid at a backpacker campground with a close friend from her hometown in British Columbia.

Queensland police said his friend was “highly traumatized” by the incident.

According to investigators, Piper was last seen alive around 5 a.m. Monday, when she told people at the bed and breakfast that she planned to go to the beach. His body was found by two men traveling along the east coast of the island.

Her mother, Angela James, told Canadian media that she spoke to her daughter shortly before she went out that morning.

“He was so special. He was so caring. He was so empathetic. He was always worried about other people,” she said. Canadian Press.

She said her daughter was enjoying her time in Australia and was in love with K’gari.

“He was very adventurous. He loved motocross. He loved camping, he loved swimming and he loved surfing. He wanted to learn how to surf,” he added.

talk with Australian Broadcasting CorporationThe mother said: “I couldn’t think of anything when I didn’t hear from him. I knew he didn’t have a phone. He borrowed his girlfriend’s phone to go to the beach that morning, but they couldn’t find his girlfriend’s phone.”

He added: “When I heard Piper wasn’t well, I don’t remember much of what happened after that. I remember falling to the ground, screaming and going into shock.”

The teenager had spent two summers working for British Columbia’s wildfire services before traveling abroad; He said his father was very proud of this.

Friends and family share photos of him rafting, snowboarding, dirt biking and firefighting, reflecting what his parents describe as a fearless approach to life.

His grandmother, Penny Vanaltine Marshall, also paid tribute. He said his grandson had “an unbridled spirit of joy and courage.”

Queensland premier David Crisafulli said at a press conference on Wednesday: “We have to acknowledge the death of a young woman in the prime of her life. She’s nineteen years old and doing what she loves, on the journey of her life, and it’s really hard not to be home with her family.”

He confirmed that an autopsy was the next critical step.

A Queensland Coroner’s Court spokesman said the investigation was ongoing and the teenager’s family had been informed.

“Further scientific testing will be required following the autopsy,” the spokesman said.

“These additional results and determining the cause of death may take some time.”

The island has only about 150 permanent residents but attracts around 400,000 tourists a year.