Pictured: Gifted doctor, 27, who drowned off a Queensland beach after 'going swimming at midnight'

  • The body of a young woman found on a Queensland beach has been identified  
  • Gemma Diessel, 27, worked as a doctor at Sunshine Coast University Hospital 
  • Dr Diessel is believed to have drowned after going swimming early on Thursday 

A young woman whose body was found washed up on a Queensland beach on Thursday morning has been identified as a 27-year-old doctor.  

Gemma Diessel worked at Sunshine Coast University Hospital after studying at Griffith University. 

The young woman's family were informed on Thursday and Queensland Police later publicly confirmed the woman's identity, according to Sunshine Coast Daily

A young woman whose body was found washed up on a Queensland beach on Thursday morning has been identified as Gemma Diessel (pictured) 

A young woman whose body was found washed up on a Queensland beach on Thursday morning has been identified as Gemma Diessel (pictured) 

The 27-year-old doctor worked at Sunshine Coast University Hospital after studying at Griffith University (pictured; Dicky Beach) 

The 27-year-old doctor worked at Sunshine Coast University Hospital after studying at Griffith University (pictured; Dicky Beach) 

Dr Diessel's body was found by local surfer Stirling Harper at about 5.15am at the high tide mark on the sand near Lower Neill Street, Dicky Beach.  

The off-duty lifeguard said he called 000 and checked for a pulse but could not find one before emergency services arrived. 

Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service chief executive Adjunct Professor Naomi Dwyer expressed her sympathies towards Dr Diessel's family.

'Our sincere condolences go out to this young woman's family at this very sad time,' Prof Dwyer said. 

'We also want to support our staff who may be impacted by this very sad and unexpected news. We are providing counselling and support for her peers and colleagues via our confidential Employee Assistance Program.'

Dr Diessel was wearing a black bikini and police believe she had gone swimming sometime after midnight the previous evening and drowned. 

Detectives are investigating but reportedly do not believe the death is suspicious. 

They are, however, searching for the young woman's phone as they believe it will hold some answers as to the events leading up to Dr Diessel entering the water. 

'As you can imagine that prior to an incident like this, any kinds of communication with anyone will give us a lot better insight into what happened,' Caloundra Police Senior Sergeant Matt Campbell said. 

Sunshine Coast Hospital staff have expressed sympathies towards Dr Diessel's family 

Sunshine Coast Hospital staff have expressed sympathies towards Dr Diessel's family 

 

 

 

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Pictured: Doctor, 27, who drowned off a Queensland beach after going swimming for a 'midnight swim'

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