When was Piper James found on K'gari?

Piper James was found in the early hours of January 19, 2026.

What did the coroner find regarding Piper James's death?

A preliminary assessment found physical evidence consistent with drowning and injuries consistent with dingo bites, though the dingo bites were unlikely to have been fatal.

Why is the dingo cull on K'gari controversial?

The cull is controversial because dingo experts warn it could lead to an extinction vortex for the island's dingo population, and traditional owners were not consulted.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Grieving Parents Visit Island Where Daughter Died

Grieving Parents Visit Island Where Daughter Died

4 Feb

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Summary

Parents visit K'gari for a smoking ceremony after their daughter's death.
Coroner found evidence of drowning and dingo bites, awaiting pathology.
Dingo cull continues despite experts warning of extinction risk.

Grieving Parents Visit Island Where Daughter Died

Distraught parents Todd and Angela James have traveled from Canada to K'gari, also known as Fraser Island, to collect the remains of their daughter, Piper James. The couple arrived in Brisbane on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, commencing an emotional journey to their daughter's final resting place.

The parents will attend a smoking ceremony conducted by the Butchulla traditional owners on the beach near the SS Maheno wreck. Piper James was discovered there on the morning of January 19, 2026, following an early solo swim. The Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation emphasized the ceremony's cultural significance for healing and acknowledging Piper's spirit.

A preliminary coroner's assessment, released four days after James's death, found evidence consistent with drowning and dingo bites, though the latter were deemed unlikely to be fatal. Pathology results are still pending, a process expected to take several weeks.