The family of Canadian backpacker Piper James have received the preliminary findings from her autopsy results after she was found dead on a beach on the Queensland island K'gari.

James was found surrounded by a pack of about 10 dingoes earlier this week, with police unable to conclude whether she had drowned or been fatally attacked by the animals.

Her father Todd James told 9News tonight that he had received the preliminary findings from his daughter's autopsy as tests continue on other samples taken from her body.

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The preliminary findings show evidence of fluid on the 19-year-old's lungs but it remains unclear how the fluid entered her body, whether it was through puncture wounds or inhaling water and whether the fluid entered her body before or after she was wounded by the dingoes.

Further testing will need to be undertaken and the results could take up to two months.

Todd told 9News the family was relieved the results meant her body could be released back to her family in Canada.

Todd also said he and his wife Angela had been invited to attend an Indigenous smoking ceremony on K'gari, which they said they would be honoured to accept.

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