More testing needed to determine how Canadian backpacker died on K’gari

A coroner will investigate the death of 19-year-old Canadian backpacker Piper James, who was found mauled by dingoes on K’gari, with further testing needed to understand how she died.

James was found surrounded by a pack of about 10 dingoes earlier this week, but police have been unable to conclude whether she had drowned or been fatally attacked.

The Coroners Court of Queensland has confirmed it has opened an investigation into her death and said her body will require more tests after an autopsy is completed.
Piper James, 19, was found dead on K’gari on Monday. (Supplied)

“Following the autopsy, further scientific testing will be required,” a Coroners Court spokesperson said.

“These further results and establishing the cause of death may take some time.

“Family of the deceased have been kept up to date with the investigation.

“The coronial investigation is ongoing, as such no further information can be provided at this time.”

The potential that dingoes could be responsible has stunned locals and tourists alike.

K’gari dingoes are a protected species due to their potential to become the purest strain of dingo in the country, but attacks have been on the rise recently.

The island has not seen a fatal attack since 2001, when a nine-year-old boy was killed.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has signalled there will be a state response to the findings of the autopsy.

But Indigenous elders claimed they have repeatedly warned the state government that dingoes are growing more dangerous as tourism takes over.
Rangers and police on K’gari this week. (Nine)

James had been working as a housekeeper at a backpacker campsite on K’gari for the past six weeks with hometown friend Taylor Stricker.

The pair had saved up money for a year so they could travel Australia before returning home in March.

But on Monday, James went for an early-morning swim before she was found scratched, bitten and surrounded by dingoes on a beach just a few hundred metres away from the campsite.

Her mum, Angela James, believed Piper had intended to call home from the beach as she often did.

“She quite often would set her alarm to get up, catch the sunrise, which is what she did that day,” she told 9News.

“I think that’s what she probably got up to do. But she never got the opportunity to.”
Taylor Stricker and Piper James saved money for a year to travel to Australia. (Facebook)

James’ father, Todd, said the family was shattered and in pain over her death.

“So many are going to miss you, my precious little baby girl,” he wrote on social media.

“May be gone, but how can we ever forget you?”

Stricker’s mum, Majorie Stricker, said her daughter awoke to “a nightmare”, as the young women were the “very best of inseparable best friends”.

“Piper became far more to our family than just our daughter’s friend. She became part of our family, just as Taylor is part of hers,” she wrote in a social media post.

“From the moment she entered our lives, her light and laughter filled every space.

“She will always be with us, in the seas, the trails, the mountain scapes, the sky and all the sunrises and sunsets that she treasured so much.”