Piper James’ official cause of death was drowning as a result of a dingo attack

The Coroner’s Court of Queensland has confirmed that a B.C. woman’s official cause of death was drowning as a result of a dingo attack.

Piper James from Vancouver Island was found dead on an Australian beach in January, surrounded by a pack of dingoes.

James was working on K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, when she went for an early morning swim on Jan. 19. Her body was found a short time later.

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“Piper died as a result of drowning in the setting of multiple injuries, due to, or as a consequence of a dingo attack,” the coroner said in a statement on Thursday.

 “The investigation into Piper’s death is ongoing, and no further information can be provided at this time.”

An autopsy uncovered evidence of “pre-mortem” dingo bites but said drowning was the most likely cause of death.

–with files from The Canadian Press