Family and friends in Peterborough are mourning the loss of a city woman whose body was found washed ashore alongside the body of a man on an island off Australia’s east coast on Saturday.
The bodies of Julie Tutak, 38, and Kurt Butler, 39, were found around 8:15 a.m. local time on the northern tip of Bribie Island, about 85 kilometres north of Brisbane.
Brisbane police say Tutak was vacationing at the time and was a friend of Butler’s, a resident of nearby Pelican Waters.
According to the Brisbane Times, a passerby searching for turtle nests in an area not open to vehicles found their bodies.
Police originally thought the deaths might be suspicious due to “unexplained injuries,” on their bodies. Police believe the two had died 24 hours before their bodies were found.
However, police have since declared the deaths as a non-suspicious accident.
The pair were wearing swimming gear but no lifejackets or personal effects, police said. A jetski registered to Butler was found nearby in the Pumicestone Passage.
“By all accounts from locals in this area, it’s fairly common for people to park their tinnies or JetSki in the calm waters of Pumicestone Passage and walk across Bribie Island to the open side and go for a swim in the surf there,” Sgt. Scott Wiggins said in The Sunshine Coast Daily.
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A police spokesperson told media Tuesday that they don’t believe the pair died as a result of foul play.
“We are awaiting the results of the post-mortem but at this stage there’s nothing to indicate that it was suspicious,” a spokesman told The Brisbane Times.
On social media, friends have expressed their shock and sorrow over the death of Tutak, a personal support worker at Fairhaven Retirement residence in Peterborough.
“Sending hugs, and condolences to my friends and former co-workers at Fairhaven at this overwhelmingly sad time as you mourn the loss of beautiful Julie Tutak,” wrote Cathy Dracup.
Andrea Rowlands-Downey says she and Julie had a 25-year friendship.
“You are my best friend, confidant, giver of best advice,” she wrote. “I will miss our talks, laughs and your smile. Till we meet again. Love you. My deepest condolences to Kayla, Kurtis and family.”
Tutak is a mother of two. Her body is still in Australia pending post-mortem results, according to a family member.
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