Authorities in Australia are investigating the suspicious death of a young Canadian tourist whose body was discovered on a popular beach, with fears she may have been attacked by native dingoes.
A Traumatic Discovery on the Shore
The body of the 19-year-old woman was found on Monday morning, 20 January 2026, on K'gari, the world's largest sand island located off the Queensland coast. Police were alerted to the scene near a shipwreck tourist attraction at 6.35am.
Two men driving an SUV along the beach made the grim discovery. Police Inspector Paul Algie stated they saw around ten dingoes near the body. "It was obviously a very traumatic and horrific scene for them to uncover," Algie told reporters.
Marks Consistent with Dingo Interference
While the precise cause of death remains undetermined, police confirmed the woman's body showed signs of animal contact. "I can confirm there were markings on her body consistent with having been touched and interfered with by the dingoes," Inspector Algie said.
The woman, who had been working at tourist accommodation on the island for about six weeks, had gone for a morning swim. Her body was discovered approximately 90 minutes later. A post-mortem examination to determine whether she drowned or was attacked was expected to be completed on Wednesday.
A Protected but Growing Threat
This incident has reignited concerns about dingo safety on the World Heritage-listed island. About 200 dingoes roam freely on K'gari as a protected native species.
However, officials note that younger animals have become more aggressive and less fearful of humans since tourists returned in large numbers post-pandemic. This tragic event echoes a near-fatal attack three years prior, where a pack of dingoes mauled a 23-year-old jogger, driving her into the surf before a tourist intervened.
Police continue their investigation, urging caution while emphasising that the full circumstances of the Canadian woman's death are not yet confirmed.
