Tragic details emerge after teenâs island death
The devastated family of a teenager who died surrounded by dingoes say their hearts are shattered as they wait for news on the cause of her death.
The father of a teenager found dead surrounded by wild dingoes at an iconic Australian tourist spot says her familyâs âhearts are shatteredâ by the tragedy.
Canadian backpacker Piper James, 19, was on a holiday of a lifetime on Queenslandâs Kâgari (Fraser Island) when she went for an early morning swim on Monday.
She never returned.
Piper James has been remembered by her family as a âkind spiritâ. Photo: Supplied
Police have not confirmed whether Ms James drowned or died as a result of a dingo attack.
Her cause of death will be determined at a post-mortem examination set to be conducted on Wednesday.
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The results will bring answers for her shattered family who are struggling with the loss of a teenager remembered for her infectious laugh and determination to follow her dreams.
âOur hearts are shattered as we share the tragic loss of our beautiful daughter, Piper,â her father Todd James said in a social media tribute.
âWe will always remember her infectious laugh and her kind spirit. I admired her strength and determination to go after her dreams.â
James had been living and working at a backpackers on Kâgari alongside a friend from Canada for about six weeks.
Her father had approved of her trip to Australia, saying his daughter had joked: âBecause Iâm 18, and you canât stop me!â
âI loved hearing about and seeing the bonds and friendships she was developing as she grew into her beautiful self,â he said.
âPiper would work hard so she could play hard.
âSo many are going to miss you, my precious little baby girl. Maybe gone, but how can we ever forget you? The painâŚRIP my baby.â
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Grandmother Penny Vanalstine Marshall said James was a beacon of strength who would be cherished forever.
âShe was the most happy-spirited girl,â she said.
âShe had a spirit of unbridled joy and courage. She was a beacon of strength and fearless adventure.
âShe was also the most caring girl you could meet.â
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.
âA young woman ⌠has lost her life on the holiday of a lifetime and thatâs really troubling,â he said.
âWe have to acknowledge that and then turn our attention to the next step which is the authorities doing the autopsy to get the cause of death.â
Rangers warned of âheightened dingo activityâ 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 Kâgari for the summer holiday period until January 31.
Crisafulli described Kâgari as a âreally special part of the stateâ.
âWe should be respectful, and we should acknowledge the tragedy for the family, for the broader community on Kâgari â itâs really tough,â he said.
âWeâre determined to get to the bottom of the cause, and then we respond.
âBut ⌠during the course of the debate, letâs not lose sight that a young woman has lost her life.â
-with AAP
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