The Coroners Court of Queensland has conducted an autopsy on the teenager who was discovered deceased, surrounded by wild dingoes, at a renowned Australian tourist location. The examination revealed signs consistent with drowning.

Nineteen-year-old Canadian traveler Piper James was enjoying a dream vacation on Queensland’s K’gari, also known as Fraser Island, when she decided to take an early morning dip on Monday. Tragically, she did not return from her swim.

Her lifeless body was subsequently found on the beach near the well-known SS Maheno shipwreck, encircled by approximately ten dingoes, shortly after her disappearance.

A spokesperson for the Coroners Court of Queensland disclosed that a preliminary evaluation has been completed, and they are now waiting for pathology results to gain further insight into the cause of death. This additional analysis is anticipated to take several weeks.

This process is expected to take several weeks.

The autopsy has found physical evidence consistent with drowning and injuries consistent with dingo bites, the spokesperson said.

Pre-mortem dingo bite marks are not likely to have caused immediate death, the spokesperson said.

There are extensive post-mortem dingo bite marks.

There is no evidence that any other person was involved.

Dingo activity

James’ family are devastated over the tragedy.

“Our hearts are shattered as we share the tragic loss of our beautiful daughter, Piper,” her father, Todd James, said in a social media tribute.

“We will always remember her infectious laugh and her kind spirit. I admired her strength and determination to go after her dreams.”

James had been living and working at a backpackers on K’gari alongside a friend from Canada for about six weeks.

Canadian backpacker Piper James, 19, was on a holiday on Queensland’s K’gari. Source: Supplied / Todd James

Rangers increased patrols across the island following the tragedy, which came just weeks after a warning about aggressive dingo behaviour near where James was found.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli on Wednesday ruled out a tourist ban on the island as authorities waited for the autopsy results.

Rangers warned of “heightened dingo activity” in the area where James died only weeks before the tragedy after reports of wild dogs ripping tents, approaching campers and stealing food and property.

The warning remains in place on K’gari for the summer holiday period until January 31.

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