Autopsy results give unclear answers as to how Piper James died
Updated . First published at
An autopsy of the Canadian backpacker Piper James has given inconclusive results as to her cause of death.
It was hoped the preliminary findings would confirm whether she had drowned or been killed by dingoes after her mauled body was found on a beach on the Queensland island of K'gari.
The autopsy shows evidence of fluid on the 19-year-old's lungs but it remains unclear how the fluid entered her body.
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Piper James, 19, was found dead on K'Gari, formerly known as Fraser Island. Supplied
Fluid in the lungs normally indicates a person drowned, but it is possible it entered her body through puncture wounds.
A Coroners Court spokesperson said it was not likely another person was involved in James' death.
"Pre-mortem dingo bite marks are not likely to have caused immediate death," the spokesperson said.
"There are extensive post-mortem dingo bite marks."
Police believe there are three potential causes of death - that she drowned and mauled posthumously, that she was attacked and killed by dingoes, or that she drowned after being chased into the water by the dingoes.
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Piper James and her dad, Todd James. Facebook
Her father Todd James told 9News last night that tests continue on other samples taken from her body.
The results could take up to two months.
Mr James told 9News the family was relieved the results meant her body could be released back to her family in Canada.
He also said he and his wife Angela had been invited to attend an Indigenous smoking ceremony on K'gari, which they said they would be honoured to accept.
Speaking to 9News from their family home on Vancouver Island earlier this week, Piper's mum Angela James said her daughter had been "having the time of her life" in Australia.
Piper's body was found surrounded by dingoes on a K'gari beach. Nine
"She loved it there. She just loved it. She thought it was beautiful," Mrs James said.
James would often phone her parents early in the morning from the beach on K'gari.
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