A 19-year-old Canadian woman was found dead on a renowned Australian island early Thursday morning, with reports indicating her body was discovered surrounded by a pack of wild dingoes.
Discovery on a World Heritage Beach
Police were called to a beach on K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, off the Queensland coast at approximately 6:35 a.m. local time on January 19, 2026. The call came in response to reports of an unresponsive woman. The location was north of the historic Maheno shipwreck, a popular tourist site.
Authorities believe the woman, who was working at a backpacker hostel on the island, may have gone for a swim around 5 a.m. She had been living and working on K'gari with a friend for about six weeks.
Dingoes at the Scene
Initial reports from the scene were alarming. Two men driving past the area reported seeing about 10 dingoes surrounding the body.
Police Inspector Paul Algie confirmed the animals had made contact with the deceased. "I can confirm that the dingoes had physically been in contact with the body," Algie told the Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). "There were markings on her body consistent with having been touched and interfered with by the dingoes."
However, he was careful to note that the exact cause of death remains undetermined pending an examination.
Ongoing Investigation and Warnings
The cause of death has not been established. Police are investigating all possibilities, including drowning or a potential animal attack. "We simply can't confirm whether this young lady drowned or died as a result of being attacked by dingoes," Inspector Algie stated.
The friend of the deceased, who has not been publicly identified, is said to be "very traumatized" and is receiving support. The woman's body was transported to Queensland for further examination.
Inspector Algie used the tragic incident to reiterate vital safety advice for visitors to the wilderness island: "K'gari is a wilderness area, dingoes are wild animals... they are still wild animals and need to be treated as such." He urged people not to feed or approach the native dingoes.
Authorities have contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as part of the investigation. Global Affairs Canada has been notified of the death of a Canadian citizen.
K'gari, the world's largest sand island, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its pristine beaches and unique ecosystem, which includes a population of protected but potentially dangerous wild dingoes.
