Shark attack horror as tourist mauled to death pictured - hero partner fights for life

Livia Muhlheim was mauled to death by a bull shark (Image: LINKEDIN)

A tourist who died in a horror shark attack in Australia as her boyfriend desperately tried to save her has been pictured for the first time. Authorities in New South Wales have confirmed that the 25‑year‑old woman involved in the incident was Livia Muhlheim.

Her partner, who desperately tried to save her during the ordeal, is now in hospital and remains in a critical condition. Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 6.30am after receiving distress calls that a young Swiss couple had been attacked while swimming at a beach notorious for shark activity. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as lifeguards and paramedics worked to stabilise the couple, highlighting both the dangers of the area and the swift efforts of authorities to manage a tragic and life-threatening situation.

The tragic incident unfolded early Thursday morning as the young Swiss couple went for a dawn swim off Kylies Beach at Crowdy Bay, a stretch of coastline known for its shark activity.

While they were in the water, a large bull shark attacked suddenly and violently. Emergency services were alerted around 6.30am, but despite their rapid response, they arrived too late to save Ms Muhlheim, who had already succumbed to her injuries on the sand.

Livia, an accomplished academic and former synchronised swimmer, had been using a GoPro camera to capture footage of a nearby pod of dolphins when the shark struck. 

Her boyfriend Lukas Schindler, a 25‑year‑old exchange student and newly qualified diving instructor, showed immense bravery as he tried to fight off the three‑metre shark that attacked his girlfriend.

Moments before the assault, she had been filming dolphins with a GoPro when the shark struck, biting her repeatedly and severing her left arm.

Despite being bitten twice on the leg himself, Schindler managed to drive the animal away and then carried Livia 50 metres back to shore. His determination, even while injured, allowed bystanders to step in immediately and attempt to save both of their lives, underscoring the desperate and heroic effort he made in the face of tragedy.

Mr Schindler’s background reflects both athletic and professional achievement, having worked as a gymnastics coach between 2016 and 2018 before serving as a first lieutenant in the Swiss Armed Forces from 2019.

He later pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of St Gallen, where he crossed paths with Ms Mühlheim in 2024.

Ms Mühlheim herself was a talented former synchronised swimmer and an avid runner, qualities noted by her employer. Academically, she completed a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance at the same university and went on to secure a role at a financial consulting firm in 2024, marking the beginning of a promising career.