Major replace on lady, 19, discovered useless surrounded by dingoes as her post-mortem is launched

Initial autopsy results have revealed Piper James had water in her lungs when her body was found on K’gari Island – but officials are still unsure how she died.

The 19-year-old Canadian backpacker’s body was discovered on the shoreline of Queensland‘s world-famous island, formerly known as Fraser Island, on Monday surrounded by a pack of 10 dingoes.

Two people travelling in a four-wheel drive found the teen unresponsive at 6am near the Maheno Wreck with multiple defensive injuries on her body.

Police are still investigating the cause of Ms James’ death and further testing is required to determine whether she may have drowned before or after she was attacked by the vicious animals.

However, these results could take another two months to be released. 

Her father, Todd, decided to make the preliminary autopsy results public after he received them on Friday.

The release of the preliminary report means her body can now be released to her shattered family as further tests are undertaken. 

Mr James is now planning on repatriating his daughter back to Canada now that the autopsy results have been released, he told 9News. 

Piper James’ body was found surrounded by a pack of 10 dingoes early Monday morning

The 19-year-old Canadian backpacker had been travelling with her friend, Taylor, and both were staying on K’gari at the time of her death

Dingoes roam on K’gari Island and have been known to attack tourists 

Ms James’ father and his wife, Angela, have both been invited to K’gari to attend an Indigenous smoking ceremony for their daughter.

Both will soon make their way to Australia for the tribute. 

Ms James’ body was found washed up on Seventy Five Mile Beach just one hour after she told friends she was heading out for an early-morning swim at about 5am.

Originally from Campbell River in British Columbia, Ms James had been travelling around Australia with her best friend Taylor for six weeks.

Taylor’s mother, Marjorie Stricker, said Ms James’ death had shattered their families.  

‘When the girls first left for Australia, we told them to always call, that there were no problems we couldn’t face together, and that safety was the most important thing,’ she said.

‘This isn’t how this was meant to play out. What has happened cannot be undone. It cannot be fixed.’

Ms Stricker said it was time to honour Ms James, who she said had befriended her daughter at a young age when both dreamed of coming to Australia.

Ms James’ preliminary autopsy results revealed she had water in her lungs at the time of her death

Taylor’s mother said the pair of teenagers had dreamed of turning 19 in Australia

Fraser Coast Council Mayor George Seymour warned people about K’gari

‘Turning 19 in Australia was part of their dream and they worked tirelessly to make it come true,’ she said.

‘Their game plan was to return home at the end of March to Vancouver Island ready to embrace adulthood and all the responsibilities it entails.

‘Their timeline was guided in part by Piper’s drive to resume her firefighting training so she would be ready for the upcoming season.

‘She was determined to continue to pursue building a life rooted in purpose, passion, and service.’  

If authorities determine Ms James’ death was caused by the wild dogs, it would be the first fatal dingo attack in 25 years.

Traditional owners of K’gari have accused the Queensland government of ignoring their safety warnings.  

Fraser Coast Council Mayor George Seymour warned people to reconsider bringing their families to the island.

‘I think if people are aware of the situation and look at the number of dingo attacks that have happened over the last few years, I think some parents will make that decision,’ he told the Courier Mail.