Death of teenager Piper James on K’gari still a mystery as father receives heartbreaking news
The Canadian backpacker’s dad has received a grim update following the ‘tragic, horrific event’.
The father of a Canadian backpacker found dead on a Queensland beach surrounded by dingoes has been advised against having an open casket at her funeral due to the condition of the 19-year-old’s body.
The disturbing news comes as an autopsy has been unable to determine how Piper James died.
A coroner has said more testing would be required before Piper’s cause of death could be determined, after her body was found on K’gari earlier this week.
Piper was found dead near the surf at the Maheno Wreck about 6am on Monday.
It is understood Piper left for a swim at 5am, with passers-by discovering her body about an hour later.
A small group of dingoes was found around her body, with police confirming the animals had come into contact with her.
More testing is now required to determine if Piper drowned, was attacked by dingoes, or died from another cause.
Although the extent of Piper’s injuries remains unknown, her father, Todd James, recounted a grim interaction with Queensland police when he asked if his family would be able to have an open casket at her funeral.
“He said, ‘Mate … no, mate, it’s not going to happen,’” Todd told CBC news.
“So it’s not like I’ve got my little girl to go and hold.”
British backpackers on the island at the time of her death recounted the “traumatising” moment her body had been found by another group.
“I know that the group had to move her body to a tent until the police came, so I know it’s affected a lot of that camp,” they told 7NEWS.
“I think they’re quite traumatised.
“After finding out that happened, it was a bit of a wake-up call, it was like anything can actually happen.”
Trip of a lifetime
Piper had been travelling with a friend, also from Canada, on a five-month “trip of a lifetime” through Australia.
Todd told 7NEWS Piper had been in regular contact with her family as she travelled.
“I believe she took her cell phone with her to call us that morning but that never happened,” he said.
“She would usually call us at that time.”
Todd said Piper and her travel companion had toured the island with Dingo Adventures before becoming friends with the tour business owners.
“Dingo Adventures offered her and Taylor a job and she was going to be there for six weeks before continuing their journey,” Todd said.
“Unfortunately, this tragic, horrific event has happened and has ended that dream for Piper.”
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