The shattered father of a young woman found dead on a Queensland beach has paid tribute to his daughter’s adventurous spirit.

Canadian Piper James was found on K’gari (Fraser Island), surrounded by a pack of dingoes, on Monday morning after telling friends she was going for an early morning swim. 

The 19-year-old, who had been working on the island for about six weeks, left for a swim about 5am and was found by two men driving on the island’s eastern beach about an hour and a half later. 

A location map with Bundaberg, Maryborough, K'gari and the Maheno shipwreck.

Ms James was found near the Maheno shipwreck. (ABC News)

Police said they could not confirm whether Ms James drowned or died as a result of being attacked by a dingo until after an autopsy, expected to be carried out today. 

‘Strength and determination’

Ms James’ father, Todd James, issued a statement on social media today sharing his loss.

“Our hearts are shattered as we share the tragic loss of our beautiful daughter,” he said. 

“We will always remember her infectious laugh and her kind spirit. 

“I admired her strength and determination to go after her dreams.”

He said she joked about his support for her travelling to Australia, telling him: “I’m 18 and you can’t stop me!”

“Mostly, I loved hearing about and seeing the bonds and friendships she was developing as she grew into her beautiful self,” Mr James said. 

A man and a younger woman, his daughter, in a posed photo

The father of Piper James who died on K’gari has paid tribute to his daughter on social media. (Supplied: Todd James)

Mr James said his daughter worked for British Columbia’s firefighting service and posted images of her in a uniform. 

“Piper would work hard so she could play hard,” he said.

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

A young woman wearing an orange helmet with a hose over her shoulder in the bush.

Piper James’ father, Todd, says she was proud of her work at BC Wildfire Services. (Supplied: Todd James)

Ms James’s grandmother, Penny Vanalstine Marshall, said in a post on social media that words could not express how deeply Ms Piper would be cherished. 

“She had a spirit of unbridled joy and courage,” she said.

Ms Marshall said Ms James was “a beacon of strength and fearless adventure”. 

“She was also the most caring girl you could meet,” she said. 

“We will miss her terribly!”

An old rusted shipwreck embedded in sand surrounded on one side by water

Ms James was found near the Maheno shipwreck on the eastern side of K’gari. (ABC Wide Bay: James Taylor)

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said yesterday that Ms James’ death had affected the community. 

“It’s very concerning. We’ve seen an increasing number of dingo attacks over the years, including increasing severity,” Cr Seymour said.

“We are watching this very closely.”

Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers have increased patrols on the island since the death and have temporarily closed a campsite near where Ms James was found.