Family Shares Initial Autopsy Results of Canadian Backpacker

The family of a Canadian backpacker, Piper James, who was found dead in Queensland’s World Heritage Site, has shared some preliminary autopsy findings.

Piper, 19, was discovered on Seventy-Five Mile Beach on Kgari (Fraser Island) shortly after 5 a.m. on a Monday morning.

Friends mentioned that she had planned to go swimming around that same time.

An hour later, two people passing by stumbled upon her body, which was surrounded by a group of dingoes.

Initial findings from her autopsy were communicated to her father, Todd, and his wife, Angela. Reports indicate that bite marks from dingoes on her body likely occurred post-mortem.

“A post-mortem examination reported signs of drowning along with injuries consistent with a dingo bite,” a spokesperson shared.

It was further noted that a veterinarian indicated a dingo bite probably wasn’t the immediate cause of death, and there was no indication of anyone else being involved.

Previously, reports suggested the discovery of fluid in her lungs, but it’s unclear how this fluid entered her system—perhaps from a stab wound or from inhaling water.

Additional testing could take as long as two months, according to reports.

Todd mentioned to 9News that they felt “relieved” since these results meant Piper’s body could be returned to Canada.

He and his wife were invited to participate in an indigenous smoking ceremony in Kgari and expressed their honor in accepting.

Earlier in the week, the Queensland Coroner’s Court stated that further scientific tests were required following the autopsy.

A spokesperson indicated that determining a cause of death may take considerable time, emphasizing that families involved have been kept informed about the investigation.

Authorities have confirmed that Piper’s body was “tampered with and disturbed” by a dingo but refrained from speculating on how she died.

Inspector Paul Algie from the Wide Bay District addressed the uncertainty regarding the circumstances, stating, “We cannot definitively say whether this young woman was attacked by a dingo and then drowned or if she died another way.”

He reminded visitors that Kgari is a nature reserve and dingoes are wild animals. While they hold cultural significance for local Indigenous people, they should be treated with caution.

Inspector Algie advised visitors to stay away from dingoes, not feed them, and respect their space while exploring the area.