Tragic Details Emerge of Swiss Couple’s Dream Life in Australia Cut Short by Fatal Shark Attack

Heartbreaking new details have emerged about the young Swiss couple whose dream of building a new life in Australia ended in tragedy after a fatal shark attack at one of New South Wales’ most picturesque coastal destinations.

Livia Mühlheim, 25, and her boyfriend Lukas Schindler, 26, were swimming in unpatrolled waters off Kylies Beach at Crowdy Bay, south of Port Macquarie, when they were mauled by a bull shark just after 6.30am on Thursday. The couple, both athletic, adventurous, and deeply passionate about the outdoors, had fallen in love with the area and had reportedly tried to secure work locally only a day earlier, hoping to make their stay in Australia more permanent.

What was meant to be an idyllic morning swim turned into a devastating ordeal that has shocked the local community and sent ripples of grief across Australia and Switzerland.

A Young Couple’s Australian Dream

Friends said the pair had been travelling, working, and exploring Australia with the hope of settling in the coastal region long-term. Mr Schindler, an exchange student who had recently qualified as a diving instructor, and Ms Mühlheim, known to friends as vibrant, disciplined, and adventurous, had embraced the Australian outdoor lifestyle with enthusiasm.

Local businesses confirmed the pair had made inquiries about employment the day before the tragedy, telling staff how much they loved the area and how strongly they hoped to stay. Their affection for the region had been obvious to those who met them. They had described the beaches and bushland as “the perfect place to live.”

The Attack

The couple entered the water early on Thursday morning for what had become a routine swim. Conditions were calm but the beach was unpatrolled — an unfortunate detail that would later amplify the danger they faced.

Moments into their swim, a three-metre bull shark struck. Witness accounts and emergency reports indicate the shark first targeted Ms Mühlheim, inflicting catastrophic injuries. Mr Schindler fought desperately to fend off the animal, attempting to pull his girlfriend to safety while shouting for help.

Despite his brave efforts, the attack was too severe.

A Desperate Fight for Survival

After reaching the shore, Mr Schindler immediately laid Ms Mühlheim on the sand and sprinted in search of the nearest phone, hoping to find help quickly enough to save her life. As he ran, covered in blood and visibly injured, a bystander saw the distress and called triple-0.

The emergency operator remained on the line with the bystander, providing instructions to help stabilise Mr Schindler and guide the creation of a makeshift tourniquet, which Ambulance Superintendent Joshua Smyth later said may have saved his life.

“He was in a critical condition. The actions of that bystander potentially saved Mr Schindler’s life,” Superintendent Smyth said.

Emergency services arrived swiftly, and Mr Schindler was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital via helicopter, where he underwent urgent treatment. Despite every effort, Ms Mühlheim could not be revived at the scene.

Beaches Closed, Then Reopened With Surveillance

Following the attack, beaches in the Crowdy Bay region were immediately closed as authorities launched extensive drone and jet ski patrols to monitor marine activity. By Friday afternoon, after surveillance confirmed no further shark activity, beaches were cautiously reopened.

Surf Life Saving NSW said increased monitoring would continue into the weekend, especially with hotter weather expected to draw large crowds.

“Drones will continue to provide shark surveillance to the area, particularly at Camden Haven and Crowdy Head,” a spokesperson said. Local nippers events are still expected to proceed under heightened safety protocols.

A Community—and a Country—Shaken

The couple, described as extremely fit and heavily involved in water sports and endurance activities, had appeared perfectly at home in the coastal hamlet. Locals who encountered them expressed deep sadness, noting the pair’s kindness, enthusiasm, and clear love for the region.

News of Ms Mühlheim’s death has devastated family members overseas, who are now working with authorities to bring her home. Mr Schindler remains in hospital recovering from his injuries and trauma.

The attack has renewed conversation around shark safety on unpatrolled beaches, though authorities emphasise that shark encounters in the region remain rare.

A Life Cut Short, A Future Lost

For Ms Mühlheim and Mr Schindler, Australia represented freedom, beauty, and possibility — a place they hoped to build a shared life. Their story, marked by exploration, love, and youthful ambition, now stands as a heartbreaking reminder of nature’s unpredictability.

As tributes pour in from around the world, friends and family say they will remember Livia for her determination, her gentle spirit, her passion for adventure, and her unwavering love for Lukas. The tragedy has left two nations mourning the loss of a bright, energetic young woman whose life ended far too soon — and a young man now facing a long road to recovery without the partner he risked everything to save.