Coroner's autopsy on Canadian backpacker points to drowning as cause of death

The Queensland coroner has found evidence Piper James' death was caused by drowning after her body was found surrounded by several dingoes.

Piper James' death came just weeks after a warning about "heightened dingo activity" near where her body was found. Source: AAP / Queensland Government

The Coroners Court of Queensland's autopsy on the body of a teenager found dead surrounded by wild dingoes on K'gari has found physical evidence consistent with drowning.

Canadian backpacker Piper James, 19, was on holiday in Queensland's K'gari when she went for an early morning swim on Monday. She never returned.

Her body was discovered on the shoreline near a popular tourist site, the SS Maheno shipwreck, surrounded by about 10 dingoes, a short time later.

The coroner has completed a preliminary assessment and is now awaiting pathology results to further assist in determining the cause of death, a spokesperson for the Coroners Court of Queensland said in a statement on Friday.

This process is expected to take several weeks.

The autopsy has found physical evidence consistent with drowning and injuries consistent with dingo bites, the spokesperson said.

Pre-mortem dingo bite marks are not likely to have caused immediate death, the spokesperson said.

There are extensive post-mortem dingo bite marks.

There is no evidence that any other person was involved.

Dingo activity

James' family are devastated over the tragedy.

"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 at a backpackers on K'gari alongside a friend from Canada for about six weeks.

Canadian backpacker Piper James, 19, was on a holiday on Queensland's K'gari. Source: Supplied / Todd James

Rangers increased patrols across the island following the tragedy, which came just weeks after a warning about "heightened dingo activity" near where James was found, with reports of dingoes ripping tents, approaching campers, and stealing food and property.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli on Wednesday ruled out a tourist ban on the island as authorities waited for the autopsy results.

The warning remains in place on K'gari for the summer holiday period until 31 January.

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