The family of teenager Charlize Maree Zmuda say they have finally found some measure of closure, 18 months after her devastating shark attack death. A coroner has determined the incident unfolded so rapidly that, by the time Charlize’s friend on the shore realised something was wrong and raised the alarm, it was already too late.
Charlize was swimming at an unpatrolled stretch of Woorim Beach on Bribie Island, in Queensland’s Moreton Bay region, when she was fatally injured in February 2025.
The 17-year-old Bribie Island local was an experienced swimmer and volunteered as a lifeguard.
In findings released this week, Coroner Carol Lee concluded that Charlize was bitten by a bull shark estimated to have measured between 2.5 and 2.9 metres.
The coroner found that a severe bite to the teenager’s upper right arm caused extensive injuries and triggered a fatal air embolism, which blocked her arteries.
“This is a rapidly fatal event and is the most likely mechanism of death,” Ms Lee wrote.
Although the details of Charlize’s injuries have been painful for her parents, Steve and Renee, they said they were comforted to learn their daughter did not endure prolonged suffering.
“As a parent, my biggest fear was that she was screaming in pain, but she wasn’t, it killed her instantly,” Mr Zmuda told the Courier Mail.
A coroner has delivered findings into the death of Bribie Island teenager Charlize Maree Zmuda
Charlize’s parents, Steve and Renee, said they were relieved to know their daughter did not suffer
‘It gave me a lot of solace to know there was nothing anybody could do.’
His wife added: ‘It was confronting but also a relief because the details of the report confirmed it was very quick.’
At the time of their daughter’s death, the Zmudas issued an emotional appeal to Aussies not to be afraid of the ocean, a message they still stand by.
‘She (Charlize) wouldn’t want this to cause fear because the ocean just gave her so much joy,’ Ms Zmuda said.
‘I think if losing Char has taught us anything, it’s that we only have today, that’s all that’s promised.’
Charlize’s death was so quick that it was too late by the time her friend waiting onshore raised the alarm.
‘Her friend saw a commotion in the water, a quantity of blood, and heard a scream,’ Ms Lee said of the February 3 incident.
‘Charlize was then seen floating on her back with no further signs of movement.’
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Charlize died from extensive injuries from a shark bite to her right upper ar, which caused an air embolism that fatally blocked arteries
At the time of the tragedy, Charlize’s father Steve (pictured at her funeral) urged Aussies to not be afriad of the ocean
An inquest will not be held, as the coroner found that there were ‘appropriate’ safety measures at the beach.
A drone trial ended a day before Charlize’s death, and drumlines had been serviced two days before the incident and were fully operational.
The beach did not have the protective nets used elsewhere under the Queensland government’s shark control program.
However, Ms Lee said shark nets were not suitable for the beach due to the high tidal currents, which tend to twist or drag the nets, rendering them ineffective.
The shark control program ended a trial of surveillance drones at Woorim Beach the day before the incident.
However, 18 baited drumlines were floating between 300 and 350 metres offshore.
Drumlines are used to trap feeding sharks for euthanasia or relocation.
The Bridie Island teen was a volunteer lifeguard
‘In accordance with standard servicing protocols and timeframes, the Woorim Beach drumlines were serviced by a contractor two days before the incident,’ Ms Lee said.
‘All drumlines were baited and found to be operational.’
Only four sharks have been caught in the Woorim Beach drumlines, including two bull sharks, between January 2024 and March 2025.
‘Shark nets and drumlines do not provide an impenetrable barrier,’ Ms Lee said.
The shark control program came under an earlier independent review and underwent substantial reform and investment after Charlize’s death.
‘I am satisfied that an appropriate shark risk mitigation framework is in place in an attempt to reduce the occurrence of shark attack risk at our coastline in the future, with the aim of protection of human life whilst maintaining environmental stewardship,’ Ms Lee said.
Ms Zmuda would like to see the SharkSmart drone technology expanded for all weather conditions and used for longer durations.