The Strathcona Standard

2026-01-22: A young woman from Campbell River was found dead on the shores of the island of K’Gari earlier this week. 

Piper James, age 19, was from Campbell River and was experiencing Australia after saving up for more than two years for the trip, fighting forest fires with the BC Wildfire Service.  

“She loved and was proud of her work at BC Wildfire Services. Piper would work hard so she could play hard,” said her father Todd James in a heartfelt tribute on Facebook. “So many are going to miss you, my precious little baby girl. Maybe gone, but how can we ever forget you?”

James was in Australia, backpacking and exploring the country with a friend. On the morning of Jan. 17 she spoke with her family, letting them know she was going for an early morning swim. That’s the last time they spoke. 

Several days later, two men driving an SUV on the island’s beaches found her body, surrounded by dingoes. 

James’ mother Angela told the Times Colonist that Piper was adventurous, and loved the outdoors. She was involved in motocross in Campbell River and had been hoping to learn how to surf in Australia. 

Australian authorities are now doing an autopsy with results expected next week. They say they cannot yet confirm if her death was a result of drowning, or because of the island’s dingoes, wild dogs which have been involved in several serious attacks on humans since 2001.