The father of a teenager found dead at an Australian tourist spot says her family’s “hearts are shattered” by the tragedy.

Canadian backpacker Piper James, 19, was on a holiday on Queensland’s K’gari when she went for an early morning swim on Monday.

She hadn’t returned, and her body was discovered a short time later on the shoreline near the SS Maheno shipwreck — a popular tourist site — surrounded by about 10 dingoes.
Police have not confirmed whether James drowned or died as a result of a dingo attack.

Her cause of death will be determined by a post-mortem examination, set to be conducted on Wednesday.

Shipwreck is seen on a beach
Piper James’ body was discovered on the shoreline near the SS Maheno shipwreck. Source: AAP / Shae McDonald

“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 as a backpacker on K’gari, alongside a friend from Canada, for about six weeks.

Her father had approved of her trip to Australia, saying his daughter had joked: “Because I’m 18, and you can’t stop me!”

“I loved hearing about and seeing the bonds and friendships she was developing as she grew into her beautiful self,” he said.

“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? The pain…RIP my baby.”

Grandmother Penny Vanalstine Marshall said James was a beacon of strength who would be cherished forever.

“She was the most happy-spirited girl,” she said.

“She had a spirit of unbridled joy and courage. She was a beacon of strength and fearless adventure.

“She was also the most caring girl you could meet.”Dingo attacks are in the spotlight. Are they common, and should we be worried?
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 wait for the autopsy results.

“A young woman … has lost her life on the holiday of a lifetime and that’s really troubling,” he said.

“We 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.”

Rangers warned of “heightened dingo activity” in the area only weeks before the tragedy. This followed 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 31 January.

Crisafulli described K’gari as a “really special part of the state”.

“We should be respectful, and we should acknowledge the tragedy for the family, for the broader community on K’gari — it’s really tough,” he said.

“We’re determined to get to the bottom of the cause, and then we respond.

“But … during the course of the debate, let’s not lose sight that a young woman has lost her life.”