BURST
A coroner has determined Campbell River teen Piper James was attacked by a pack of dingoes on an Australian island beach prior to drowning.
According to the Australian Associated Press, the Coroners Court of Queensland, through Queensland Health’s forensic pathologist, has determined, “Piper died as a result of drowning in the setting of multiple injuries, due to, or as a consequence of a dingo attack.”
Her body had numerous “pre-mortem” bite marks, indicating she had been forced into the water by a pack attack, according to the pathologist.
James, 19, was travelling throughout Australia and on Jan. 19, 2026, was on the island of K’Gari just off the coast of Queensland north of Brisbane.
The island is well known for its large wild dingo population. Some resorts are protected by electric fences and tourists are asked to travel with sticks in case of attack.
On the morning of Jan. 19, James was walking alone on a beach noted for a shipwreck that has been stuck in the sand since 1935. That beach is flat, making it difficult to quickly run into deeper water if needed.
James’s body was found by two men driving past the area who saw what they thought was an object surrounded by about 10 dingoes.
The Coroners Court of Queensland says the investigation is continuing and “no further information can be provided at this time.”
K’Gari is the world’s largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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