BACKPACKER MYSTERY

Canadian Teen Found Dead on Australian Beach Surrounded by Dingoes

Local police have yet to determine the cause of death.

Australian police are investigating the mysterious death of a young Canadian woman at a Queensland tourist spot. The 19-year-old’s body was found on a beach north of Maheno Shipwreck at K’gari—formerly known as Fraser Island—at around 6:35 a.m Monday. News.com.au reported that witnesses saw around 12 dingoes surrounding her body at the waterline. She had also sustained significant wounds. Police Inspector Paul Algie said authorities were now attempting to determine the cause of death. “We’re investigating at the moment as to whether she has drowned or whether she has been attacked. We simply don’t know,” Algie said. “We may not know until a post-mortem as to the actual cause of death. We’ll obviously throw every resource we can at it to get some resolution for her family.” The woman, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, is believed to have been working at a backpacker venue on the island and had lived there for about six weeks. It is believed she went for a swim at the popular beach at around 5 a.m. Locals said conditions at the beach were rough and windy and the area had a reputation for being hazardous.