“Until we meet again, Piper, fly with angels,” Piper James’ grandmother wrote in tribute to the backpacker

Flying abeam Aerial photograph , flying along the coast with views over Fraser Island ( K"Gari ) Fraser Island National Park

The Australian island of K’gari.Credit : Ingrid_Hendriksen/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

A Canadian family is sharing their grief after a 19-year-old woman was found dead near a pack of wild dogs on an Australian beach on Jan. 19
Piper James’ autopsy is pending, and an investigation is ongoing
“I know she fought to the end,” the young woman’s mom said while her dad paid tribute to Piper’s “infectious laugh and her kind spirit”

The parents of a 19-year-old Canadian woman who was found dead on an Australian beach, surrounded by a pack of wild dogs, are sharing their heartbreak.

“She loved life, she was courageous and strong, and I know she fought to the end,” Angela James told the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) about her daughter, Piper James, whose body was discovered on the Queensland island of K’gari (Fraser Island) on the morning of Monday, Jan. 19.

“She’s brave and I love her so much and my life will never be the same. She was my best friend,” the grieving mom continued, according to the outlet. “I just don’t know how I will find happiness again, but I have to for her, one day.”

That Monday morning, Piper went for a swim around 5 a.m. local time, and her body was found about an hour later, 9News Australia reported. The young woman’s remains were found encircled by about 10 dingoes, Australia’s native wild dogs, on the beach north of Maheno Wreck, Wide Bay District Inspector Paul Algie previously announced in a press conference.

The inspector said that the body had injuries “consistent with having been touched and interfered with by the dingoes.” The police added that among the injuries were “defensive wounds,” per News.com.au.

“We simply can’t confirm whether this young lady drowned or died as a result of being attacked by dingoes,” Algie said at the press conference.

A post-mortem examination is scheduled. The Queensland State Coroner’s Office and the James family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

The 19-year-old woman, who worked as a firefighter in British Columbia, loved to rock climb and ride dirt bikes, ABC reported. She was thrilled about her trip to Australia.

“We pushed her towards Australia thinking it would be one of the safer places to go,” Angela told the outlet. After traveling along the east coast of the country, Piper returned to K’gari to work for six weeks at an adventure group.

It was during that return stay that the young woman lost her phone, ABC reported. Angela told the outlet that she believes that Piper walked down the beach to get better cell service with her friend’s phone the morning of her death.

As Piper’s family waits for further clarity about what happened, her dad, Todd James, posted a tribute on social media to his “beautiful daughter,” per The Guardian.

This dingo (Canis dingo), a type of wild dog stands in the warm, morning light. Considered vulnerable on the conservation status, dingos arrived in Australia from Asia 5000 years ago

A stock image of a dingo.Getty

Todd said that Piper was happy to have his support for her backpacking trip abroad. “Because I’m 18, and you can’t stop me!” James recalled his daughter teasing.

He added that Piper worked hard as a firefighter, “so she could play hard,” with adventures such as the trip on which she died.

“We will always remember her infectious laugh and her kind spirit,” Todd wrote. “I admired her strength and determination to go after her dreams.”

K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island is 123 kilometres long and is the largest sand island in the world.

The island of K’gari.Getty

Piper’s grandmother, Penny Vanalstine Marshall, also remembered her kindness and courage in a separate post on social media. “Until we meet again, Piper, fly with angels,” Marshall wrote. “We will miss you forever! Our hearts are broken!”