SHOCKING VIDEO: A 19-year-old woman, Piper James, was found de@d on the beach, surrounded by a pack of stray dogs
Her mother, heartbroken, believes her daughter “fought to the end” — “She loved life more than anything.”
But a detail in the video’s final seconds is leaving many with unanswered questions…
Woman, 19, Found Dead on Beach Surrounded by Wild Dogs ‘Fought to the End’ Her Mom Believes: ‘She Loved Life’
“Until we meet again, Piper, fly with angels,” Piper James’ grandmother wrote in tribute to the backpacker
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The Australian island of K’gari.Credit :
Ingrid_Hendriksen/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
A Canadian family is sharing their grief after a 19-year-old woman was found dead near a pack of wild dogs on an Australian beach on Jan. 19
Piper James’ autopsy is pending, and an investigation is ongoing
“I know she fought to the end,” the young woman’s mom said while her dad paid tribute to Piper’s “infectious laugh and her kind spirit”
The parents of a 19-year-old Canadian woman who was found dead on an Australian beach, surrounded by a pack of wild dogs, are sharing their heartbreak.
“She loved life, she was courageous and strong, and I know she fought to the end,” Angela James told the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) about her daughter, Piper James, whose body was discovered on the Queensland island of K’gari (Fraser Island) on the morning of Monday, Jan. 19.
“She’s brave and I love her so much and my life will never be the same. She was my best friend,” the grieving mom continued, according to the outlet. “I just don’t know how I will find happiness again, but I have to for her, one day.”
That Monday morning, Piper went for a swim around 5 a.m. local time, and her body was found about an hour later, 9News Australia reported. The young woman’s remains were found encircled by about 10 dingoes, Australia’s native wild dogs, on the beach north of Maheno Wreck, Wide Bay District Inspector Paul Algie previously announced in a press conference.
The inspector said that the body had injuries “consistent with having been touched and interfered with by the dingoes.” The police added that among the injuries were “defensive wounds,” per News.com.au.
“We simply can’t confirm whether this young lady drowned or died as a result of being attacked by dingoes,” Algie said at the press conference.
A post-mortem examination is scheduled. The Queensland State Coroner’s Office and the James family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
@7newsq The young tourist found dead on K’Gari surrounded by dingoes has been identified as 19-year-old Canadian backpacker Piper James. #kgari #dingo #backpacker #queensland #dingoes
The 19-year-old woman, who worked as a firefighter in British Columbia, loved to rock climb and ride dirt bikes, ABC reported. She was thrilled about her trip to Australia.
“We pushed her towards Australia thinking it would be one of the safer places to go,” Angela told the outlet. After traveling along the east coast of the country, Piper returned to K’gari to work for six weeks at an adventure group.
It was during that return stay that the young woman lost her phone, ABC reported. Angela told the outlet that she believes that Piper walked down the beach to get better cell service with her friend’s phone the morning of her death.
As Piper’s family waits for further clarity about what happened, her dad, Todd James, posted a tribute on social media to his “beautiful daughter,” per The Guardian.
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A stock image of a dingo.Getty
Todd said that Piper was happy to have his support for her backpacking trip abroad. “Because I’m 18, and you can’t stop me!” James recalled his daughter teasing.
He added that Piper worked hard as a firefighter, “so she could play hard,” with adventures such as the trip on which she died.
“We will always remember her infectious laugh and her kind spirit,” Todd wrote. “I admired her strength and determination to go after her dreams.”
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The island of K’gari.Getty
Piper’s grandmother, Penny Vanalstine Marshall, also remembered her kindness and courage in a separate post on social media. “Until we meet again, Piper, fly with angels,” Marshall wrote. “We will miss you forever! Our hearts are broken!”