The grieving parents of a Canadian backpacker found dead at a Queensland tourist hotspot surrounded by a pack of dingoes have broken their silence.
Piper James, 19, had been camping on K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, near the Maheno Shipwreck when she she told her friends at about 5am on Monday that she was going for a swim.
Less than an hour later, two people in a 4WD driving along the beach found her body on the shoreline with multiple wounds. Authorities have yet to determine if she drowned or was killed by dingoes.
Ms James had been on a trip-of-a-lifetime holiday with her best friend Taylor since arriving in Australia six weeks ago.
Social media posts showed the pair taking beach selfies at Sydney‘s Bondi Beach, surfing at Manly, partying with friends in Cairns and enjoying Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays.
It’s understood Ms James had recently landed a job working with backpackers on K’gari and was camping near Woralie Rd at Seventy Five Mile Beach when tragedy struck.
Todd and Angela James penned a heartbreaking tribute early Wednesday as they shared dozens of photos of their daughter, including Piper setting off on her backpacking holiday and enjoying a recent ACDC concert at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Mr James opened up on the moment his daughter had told him about her plans to travel to Australia, and revealed she had made the playful comment that he couldn’t stop her because she was 18.
‘Our hearts are shattered as we share the tragic loss of our beautiful daughter, Piper,’ he began.
The grieving parents of a Canadian backpacker found dead at a Queenslandtourist hotspot surrounded by a pack of dingoes have broken their silence – as photos of her final weeks emerged
Piper James, 19, had been camping on K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, near the Maheno Shipwreck when she she told her friends at about 5am on Monday that she was going for a swim
‘We will always remember her infectious laugh and her kind spirit. I admired her strength and determination to go after her dreams.’
Angela added that ‘life will never be the same’.
Mr James recalled his daughter’s reaction after telling her that he supported her planned overseas adventure.
‘Mostly, I loved hearing about and seeing the bonds and friendships she was developing as she grew into her beautiful self,’ he said.
A keen motorcross rider, Ms James also loved her work at BC Wildfire Services.
‘Piper would work hard so she could play hard,’ her dad wrote.
‘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.’
Police are still working to determine whether Ms James drowned or was mauled by a pack of dingoes during her early morning swim.
A post-mortem will be conducted on her body in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Ms James had been on a trip-of-a-lifetime holiday with her best friend Taylor since arriving in Australia six weeks ago
It’s understood Ms James had recently landed a job working with backpackers on K’gari and was camping near Woralie Rd at Seventy Five Mile Beach when tragedy struck
It comes as traditional owners of K-gari accused the Queensland government of ignoring safety warnings for more than 25 years, amid fears that a dingo cull is imminent.
The Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation claims it has repeatedly urged authorities to cap annual visitor numbers on K’gari and periodically shut off the island to tourists to prevent dingo attacks.
Canadian authorities confirmed they are assisting Ms James’ family.
‘We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones,’ a Canadian Global Affairs spokesman said.
‘Canadian officials are providing consular assistance to the family.’
