Friends pay tribute to Canadian Piper James after her death at K’gari beach

A blonde girl resting her head on the shoulder of another dark haired girl.

Taylor Stricker and Piper James worked hard to fund their dream of backpacking the coast of Australia. (Supplied: Marjorie Stricker)

In short:

Piper James is being remembered for her love of nature and adventure.

The 19-year-old was found dead on the beach at K’gari (Fraser Island) on Monday, surrounded by dingoes.

What’s next?

Further forensic testing is required to determine the cause of death.

Friends of 19-year-old Canadian woman Piper James, who died this week on K’gari (Fraser Island), have spoken of how the ocean called to her, just as adventure did.

In a moving tribute, Marjorie Stricker spoke of the young girl who had become part of her family, travelling Australia with her daughter, Taylor.

“She was an athlete, a dirt bike rider, a snowboarder, a dedicated seasonal firefighter and devoted animal lover,” Ms Stricker said.

Flowers on a pole near a beach.

A bouquet of native flowers was placed by Piper James’s loved ones, overlooking the beach where her body was found. (ABC Wide Bay: James C Taylor)

“Piper felt most herself when she was out in nature and was always up hiking, camping, snowboarding, surfing, chasing waves, and feeling the sand beneath her feet.”

Piper’s life was cut short on Monday after just a week and a half on K’gari.

She was working on the island with Taylor, and Queensland Police said at 5am she had told friends she was going for a swim.

Her body was discovered on the beach just 90 minutes later by two men driving south along the beach, surrounded by a large pack of dingoes.

An aerial image of the ocean, white sandy beach, and green forest.

The eastern beach of K’gari (Fraser Island). (ABC Wide Bay: Johanna Marie)

Piper’s cause of death remains undetermined, with the Coroners Court confirming further forensic testing was needed.

Her family has been told it could take up to seven days for preliminary results, and possibly weeks or months to determine the cause of death.

Ms Stricker said she was trying to find comfort in knowing Piper’s spirit was free, forever connected to the ocean she loved.

A young woman pulls a funny expression at the camera while holding a soft drink can.

Piper James has been described by a friend as was one of the “strongest people”. (Supplied: Brianna Falk)

“Piper was beautiful inside and out, full of life, laughter and a free spirit that could never be contained,” she said.

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

Living Australian backpacking dream

Ms Stricker described Piper as strong, ambitious, determined, smart and funny with a quiet strength.

“They [Piper and Taylor] worked hard and saved for over a year to make their dream of backpacking the coast of Australia a reality, and they did it,” she said.

Two young women with their heads together with at a concert.

Taylor Stricker and Piper James celebrated their 19th birthdays together in Australia. (Supplied: Marjorie Stricker)

“They knew what a privilege it was to be there, and they embraced every moment.

“They were both so excited to share their 19th birthdays together in the great land down under.”

Piper would call every day and relay her adventures to her parents, video calling a few days ago to show her mother, Angela James, the spiders on the top of her tent.

“I’m like ‘Aren’t you scared’, she’s like, ‘No, they’re harmless,'” Ms James said.

“She just loved it, she showed us all around, she was proud to be there.”

The girls had left their home in British Columbia on October 29, with plans to return home at the end of March.

A young woman in the center of her mum and dad.

Piper James (centre) with parents Angela and Todd James. (Supplied: Todd James)

“Their timeline was guided in part by Piper’s drive to resume her firefighting training so she would be ready for the upcoming season,” Ms Stricker said.

“She was determined to continue to pursue building a life rooted in purpose, passion, and service.”

Ms James also spoke of her daughter’s commitment to firefighting.

“She worked all summer fighting fires here and got to see the most amazing things,” Ms James said.

“They taught her so much and we could just see her growing over the summer and how confident she’d become.”

A woman in an orange hard hat and black fire-fighting clothes carrying a hose in a smokey area.

Piper James worked as a firefighter in British Columbia. (Supplied: Todd James)

BC Wildfire Service Assistant Deputy Minister Rob Schweitzer said in a statement the service was saddened to learn of the death of one of their team members.

“Our priority is the wellbeing of a grieving family and colleagues who are deeply affected, and we continue to ensure they have the support and resources they need,” Mr Schweitzer said.

A strong and resilient woman

For close friend Brianna Falk, Piper will be remembered as a strong and resilient woman.

“Whatever life threw at her, she was able to overcome it and become better because of it,” Ms Falk said.

Two girls are making funny facial expressions while taking a photo.

Piper James and Brianna Falk, who says Piper was a caring friend. (Supplied: Brianna Falk)

“She was such an amazing person that I really looked up to.”

Ms Falk said Piper was a caring friend.

“She was easy to be in the presence of, she never made you feel like you had to hide your emotions,” Ms Falk said.

A young woman on a dirt bike

Piper James loved riding dirt bikes. (Supplied: Todd James)

“She just supported people in their feeling as they were.”

Ms Falk said she had enjoyed watching Piper become more outgoing on her travels, and that she would have loved the sunsets and sunrises.

“I saw her posting photos on her Instagram for the first time, and I was like weeks ago, Piper would never have posted a photo of herself online,” she said.

“To actually be talking and meeting people, I would say is a phenomenon.”