A TEEN backpacker, 19, drowned during a horror dingo attack on an Australian beach, a coroner has found.
The young Canadian woman’s dream trip to Australia ended in tragedy when she was found dead on a tourist beach on K’gari, a popular island off the coast of southeast Queensland, Australia, earlier this year.
A spokesperson for the Coroner’s Court confirmed the cause Piper James’ untimely death on Friday.
It was ruled Piper died “as a result of drowning in the setting of multiple injuries, due to, or as a consequence of a dingo attack”.
“The investigation into Piper’s death is ongoing, and no further information can be provided at this time,” the spokesperson said.
She had set her alarm early for a sunrise swim near the Maheno shipwreck, while on a dream trip to Australia with her best friend.
But Piper’s body was discovered less than an hour later, surrounded and mauled by dingoes which are known to prowl the island.
The two men who found her body told cops they saw a large pack of dingoes – believed to be between 10 and 12 animals – surrounding an object near the waterline.
Piper’s remains were found with what appeared to be dingo bites.
She also had multiple injuries including what police described as possible “defensive wounds”.
Earlier inconclusive autopsy results meant cops didn’t know if Piper drowned or was killed by the wild dogs.
Although water was found in Piper’s lungs, investigators initially warned it may take up to two months before tests confirmed if the 19-year-old drowned or was mauled to death by dingoes, her dad told 7News.
Drowning was the most likely cause of Piper’s death, according to a Queensland Coroner’s Court spokesperson.
They said: “The autopsy has found physical evidence consistent with drowning and injuries consistent with dingo bites.
“Pre‑mortem dingo bite marks are not likely to have caused immediate death. There are extensive post‑mortem dingo bite marks.”
Reports that the pack of dingoes found circling Piper would be put down sparked outrage from her family, who described the teen as a nature lover.
Her dad Todd James said: “We never wanted a cull for the dingoes, and I don’t think Piper would be supportive of any animals being put to sleep or euthanised because of a mistake that she made to put herself in that vulnerable position.”
Angela James, Piper’s mum, said that euthanising the wild dogs was the “last thing” their daughter would want.
She told ABC: “She loved all animals, no matter what,” Angela James told the broadcaster.
Rangers have watched the dingoes carefully since the incident and have seen “aggressive behaviour” within the pack, a spokesperson for the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation said.
They declared the predators, which roam wild on the island, an “unacceptable public safety risk”.
Ms James had arrived in Australia from Canada in November and had been travelling with a close friend.
The pair visited Bondi Beach, surfed at Manly, partied in Cairns and toured the Whitsundays before heading to K’gari.
It is understood Ms James had been living and working on the island for about six weeks, recently landing a job with backpackers.
She had been camping near Woralie Rd while working at a backpackers’ hostel.
Inspector Algie said Ms James’ friend was receiving support.
“(Her friend) is very traumatised, she’s been supported by her friends at the backpackers where they were working,” he said.
Todd James, Piper’s father, posted a heart-breaking tribute on Facebook.
He wrote: “Our hearts are shattered as we share the tragic loss of our beautiful daughter, Piper.
“We will always remember her infectious laugh and her kind spirit. I admired her strength and determination to go after her dreams.”
The 19-year-old had saved up for her dream trip for two years, working for British Columbia Wildfire Services.
Her dad said: “I loved hearing about and seeing the bonds and friendships she was developing as she grew into her beautiful self.
“She loved and was proud of her work at BC Wildfire Services.
“Piper would work hard so she could play hard.
“So many are going to miss you, my precious little baby girl. Maybe gone, but how can we ever forget you?”
