“Not Fair”: Teen Killed by Shark Mourned by Family (Video)

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Feb 5, 2025 3:16 PM ET

On February 3rd, around 4:55pm local time, 17-year-old Charlize Zmuda was attacked and killed while swimming at Woorim Beach at Bribie Island on Australia’s Queensland coastline. She sustained “life-threatening” injuries during the incident, and despite efforts from rescue personal on the sand, who pulled her ashore following the attack, her life was lost. “Absolutely shocking,” one local said.

Now, in the wake of the tragedy, family, friends, and local community members are banding together in their grief, and offering tributes to this young ocean-lover, who was taken too soon.

Zmuda’s father, Steve, understandably broke down while giving a press interview:

“To have her talent taken away right now, that kills me. She was so musically gifted. It was not fair.” His daughter was, in fact, a volunteer lifeguard and referred to the ocean as her “happy place.”

Another community member added: “It’s a freak thing that happened. We’re all filled with sadness. She’s so beautiful, and she loved the ocean.”

With this being the third shark attack in as many months in this part of Australia, local news called in an expert to hear what’s going on. Here’s what Dr. Daryl McPhee of Bond University said:

“The three incidents in the last couple months have been unrelated. Different species, different locations, and water users doing different things. One was a surfer, this girl was a swimmer, and the other was a fisher. So, there’s been reports of more and more sharks up and down the coast, and close to beaches…there’s a number of reasons. Sharks come to places where people are fishing. And we are getting better at spotting sharks. Some shark species are going up.”

As for the incident with Zmuda, and the anguish the family is feeling, her father had this to say:

“Please still come to the beach and enjoy the surrounds of every beach up and down the coast.”

Rest in peace, Charlize Zmuda.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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