Swiss Tourist’s Passion for the Water Ends in Tragedy as New Details Emerge About Shark Attack Off Australian Coast

Heartbreaking new details have emerged about the young Swiss woman who died after a shark attack off Australia’s mid-north coast last week, revealing a life defined by talent, discipline, and a profound love of the water — the very element in which she ultimately lost her life.

Livia Mühlheim, a 25-year-old accomplished synchronised swimmer and rising financial professional from Switzerland, died on Thursday morning after a three-metre bull shark attacked her during an early swim at Kylies Beach in Crowdy Bay National Park. Emergency crews attempted to reach the remote location, but she succumbed to her injuries before paramedics arrived.

The tragedy has shaken both local communities in Australia and the swimming and academic circles Ms Mühlheim belonged to back home.

A Passion Shaped in Water

From a young age, Mühlheim spent her life in and around pools, training as a skilled synchronised swimmer before later becoming a judge for artistic swimming competitions. She was a long-standing member of Swim Regio Solothurn, a Swiss club that honoured her after her death with a moving tribute.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Livia Mühlheim, former artistic swimmer and active judge,” the club wrote. “She died in Australia — in her beloved element, the water. On behalf of the club, we express our sincere condolences to the family.”

Friends, teammates, and coaches described her as passionate, disciplined, and deeply committed to the sport, spending countless hours practising and later encouraging younger swimmers from the judging panel.

A Rising Professional Career

Beyond athletics, Ms Mühlheim’s academic and professional accomplishments were equally impressive. She earned a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from the prestigious University of St Gallen, one of Europe’s top business schools.

In May 2024, she began working at Bellecapital AG, a Zurich-based financial firm, where she rose quickly from a junior position to investment associate. Colleagues described her as sharp, driven, and dependable — a young woman who had already earned the respect of senior staff.

She had also gained global experience, working seasonal roles as a security operator at the World Economic Forum and completing an internship with KPMG Deutschland, highlighting her range of skills and ambition.

Those who knew her said she was on the cusp of a bright, international career — one that was tragically cut short.

A Horrifying Attack in Remote Waters

Mühlheim had been swimming with her boyfriend, Lukas Schindler, an exchange student and recently qualified diving instructor, when the shark struck.

According to authorities, the couple entered the unpatrolled waters around 6:30 a.m. when a bull shark attacked Mühlheim with devastating force. Acting instinctively, Schindler fought the animal off with his fists, punching the shark repeatedly as he attempted to pull her away.

The shark then turned on him, latching onto his right leg and biting him twice. Despite his severe injuries and the shock of the attack, Schindler managed to bring his girlfriend back to shore.

He laid her gently onto the sand before sprinting across the beach in search of a mobile signal to call for help.

A Stranger’s Quick Thinking Saved His Life

A passerby found the injured 26-year-old running for assistance. The bystander immediately dialled emergency services, and under guidance from paramedics over the phone, created a makeshift tourniquet using swimming gear to stem the heavy bleeding from his leg.

Ambulance Superintendent Joshua Smyth said the quick intervention “likely saved Mr Schindler’s life.”

He was airlifted by helicopter to John Hunter Hospital, where he remained in a stable condition as of Friday.

A Life of Talent, Drive, and Adventure

In the days since the tragedy, a fuller picture of Mühlheim’s life has emerged — a young woman whose love of adventure matched her academic and athletic achievements.

Her friends say she traveled frequently, embraced new challenges, and built strong connections wherever she went. Her relationship with Schindler reflected that spirit. The pair had both explored Australia’s natural beauty extensively, sharing a passion for outdoor pursuits, fitness, and marine environments.

They had been considering opportunities in New South Wales and had reportedly looked for jobs near the coastal region just one day before the tragedy — a sign they had imagined building a life together in the very place where everything suddenly unraveled.

Community in Mourning

Authorities have since reopened nearby beaches after aerial and jet-ski surveillance showed no further shark activity. But the shock remains.

Local residents, emergency responders, and the couple’s communities in Switzerland have expressed grief over the loss of a promising young woman whose life touched multiple fields — from sports and finance to global institutions like the WEF.

As tributes pour in from around the world, many are struck by the devastating irony: a gifted swimmer whose life was shaped by water, lost in the element she loved most.

For now, both nations grieve a life ended far too soon — and a future that will never unfold.