Australian authorities have today confirmed the identification of a 19-year-old Canadian woman’s body found on a beach at K’Gari (Fraser Island), Queensland. The woman’s body was found early Monday morning, surrounded by a pack of approximately ten dingoes near the Maheno shipwreck. She found a job cleaning a local backpackers’ hostel for six weeks. She had gone out for an early morning swim, although this is unconfirmed, around 5 a.m. local time.
The woman, who is expected to be identified later today, was vacationing on the beautiful, scenic island. Other guests at the hostel testified that she had told them about her intentions to go swimming that morning. Yet the circumstances surrounding her death are shrouded in mystery, leading to an investigation by Queensland police.
Local law enforcement authorities have opened investigations into the incident. They are urgently reaching out to community members who may have information about the woman’s last known movements. Members of the local community in Dunn have reacted with shock and horror at the tragic event.
“I can confirm that the woman’s body had been touched and interfered with by the dingoes,” – Queensland Police Inspector Paul Algie
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have been alerted and are in the process of trying to reach the woman’s family members in Canada. Her remains have been taken back to the mainland. An autopsy is set for Wednesday to determine a cause of death.
Queensland’s protected dingoes, recognized as a native species populating national parks, have fueled debates over the safety of wildlife. Inspector Algie reminded people to be careful around these dangerous animals.
“I implore all people that visit K’Gari, which is a beautiful place, that you do not go near dingoes, that you do not feed dingoes, and that you just leave them to live their life and you move around them accordingly,” – Algie
Algie emphasized the importance of treating dingoes with respect.
“They’re wild animals and they need to be treated as such.” – Algie
