A 19-year-old Campbell River woman has died in Australia.

The body of Piper James was found on a beach on Monday morning.

James had been in Australia since October, travelling with a friend and later taking a position working at a backpacker hostel on K’gari, in north eastern Australia  - the island formerly known as Fraser Island.

Two people driving along the beach discovered her body close to the waterline. Queensland Police reported there was a pack of about 10 dingoes surrounding her body.

At this stage, authorities have not publicly confirmed the cause of death.

James’s father, Todd James, shared a tribute on Facebook, saying the family’s “hearts are shattered” by the loss. He wrote that Piper had an infectious laugh and kind spirit, and that he admired her “strength and determination to go after her dreams.”

In his post, James also recalled that she jokingly told him she wanted to travel because she was now an adult, “Because I’m 18, and you can’t stop me,” she said, and that he enjoyed hearing about the friendships she was forming while abroad.

He said she had been proud of her work with the BC Wildfire Service, and wrote, “Piper would work hard so she could play hard.”

He closed his message with, “So many are going to miss you, my precious little baby girl. Maybe gone, but how can we ever forget you?”

Australian and Canadian authorities are cooperating, and Canadian consular officials are providing assistance to the family during the ongoing investigation.