“She was a truly special person. She was innocent, pure and she had an amazing calming effect around animals.

“She had the ability to contain even the most tortured animals. Her death is horrific, it is devastating and I am absolutely gutted,” said Kerr.

She absolutely adored animals and this is how she will be remembered, said Kerr.
 

Her body was discovered on Wangetti Beach 800m north of the southern access point around 7.45am on Sunday after being reported missing to police late ¬Sunday evening. She was with her dog, who was safely found.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ed Kinbacher told media that police were treating Ms Cordingley’s death as suspicious.

“The circumstances of the matter at the moment clearly make this suspicious and we are conducting a murder investigation,” he said.

Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu told the Cairns Post the tragic incident had rocked the community.

“This is really shocking news. These types of incidents can really rock our quiet ¬tropical paradise,” she said.

The cause of her death is unknown at this stage and will only be known once forensic and scientific examinations had been completed.

Police are appealing for people to come forward if they have any information.