WA shark attack: Stella Berry’s heartbroken parents pay tribute to their ‘beautiful girl’

The heartbroken parents of Stella Berry, the schoolgirl fatally mauled by a shark while she swam in a Perth river, have spoken out and shared pictures of their “darling girl”.

The devastated parents of Stella Berry, who was killed in by a shark in Perth on Saturday, have issued a statement paying tribute to their “beautiful girl”.

The teenager’s parents Sophie and Matt Berry also issued three photos of their Stella as the appealed for “space and time we need to grieve our darling girl.”

“We are devastated and deeply shocked by the loss of our beautiful daughter Stella,” they said in the statement.

“We want to acknowledge the amazing support we have received from our family, friends, authorities and the WA community.”

One of the photos released by Stella Berry’s parents.

The couple told of the “vibrant and happy” 16-year-old’s plans to live in Europe after she finished school.

“She was a caring person and was a dear friend to many, across a variety of schools in the area,” they said.

“She had an infectious laugh which we couldn’t help laughing at too when we heard it. Our thoughts are with Stella’s many friends at this time.”

They also shared her passion for art, spending time with her friends and her love of the river and the beach. Stella had her skipper’s ticket and “often took friends out on the river for a day of scurfing.”

“She was a beautiful and loving big sister and the best daughter we could have hoped for,” the couple said.

“We respectfully ask that the media now allow us the space and time we need to grieve our darling girl.”

One of the photos released by Stella Berry’s parents.

Stella died after being mauled by a shark while swimming in the Swan River in North Fremantle on Saturday afternoon.

The Shenton College Year 11 student was reportedly jetskiing with friends when she jumped into the river to swim with dolphins.

She was in the water near the Fremantle Traffic Bridge when the shark attacked, causing a massive injury to her leg.

Paramedics were called to the scene but Western Australia Police confirmed the girl had died at the scene just before 6pm local time.

Fremantle detectives would prepare a report for the coroner, police said.

Stella Berry reportedly died from critical injuries to her leg after she was attacked by a shark. Picture: 7 NEWS

In a statement to the Shenton College community released on Sunday by principal Michael Morgan, Stella was confirmed as the victim of the tragic attack. She has a younger sister Mae in Year Nine at the school. Her parents are teachers at Scotch College and Methodist Ladies’ College, in Perth.

“I understand and respect that people respond to grief and loss in different ways, and that a loss such as this can trigger a broad range of emotional responses that are not always anticipated or evident,” Mr Morgan said.

He said the schools support team, including psychologists, chaplains, nurses and year leaders would be available to support students as needed.

“I have personally offered, on behalf of the college, our condolences and support to Stella’s family during this very sad time,” he said.

“As all of you will be aware it is vital that we respect the wishes of Stella’s family who have requested understanding and privacy during this difficult time. I am sharing this communication with the consent of the Berry family.”

Distraught friends gathered on the beach overlooking the river on Sunday, laying flowers and paying tribute to Stella.

Two of Stella Berry's friends speak to media at the scene on Sunday. Picture: 7 News.

“We were all in contact with her less than 24 hours ago and now she’s not here with us,” one friend told 7 News.

“She was the sweetest and smartest girl that I knew and she never, never had done anything wrong to anybody,” said another through her sobs.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzharding said the tragedy was a shock to the community.

“For everyone who uses the river and our beaches to cool down, it’s just shocking when this kind of thing happens. It’s so unexpected,” she said.

Police at the scene of the fatal shark attack. Picture 9News

Meanwhile, West Australian Fisheries Don Punch said it was too early to determine what type of shark was involved, but he speculated a bull shark might be responsible.

He said the government would investigate the incident and determine whether anything could be done to reduce the risk of further attacks in the Swan River, ABC News reported.

“We do know that bull sharks, particularly, do enter estuaries and freshwater river systems, so it is likely that may be the case,” Mr Punch said.

Cameron Wrathall was attacked by a shark while swimming in Perth's Swan River in 2021. Picture: Facebook

The tragedy is the first fatal shark attack on the Swan River in 100 years. On January 27, 1923, a 13-year-old boy was killed by a shark while he was swimming at Freshwater Bay.

On January 14, 2021, Perth man Cameron Wrathall was attacked by a bull shark in the river. He was swimming near Bicton’s Blackwall Reach when the 3m bull shark attacked him with such force it broke his hip and left him with critical injuries. He survived but spent months recovering and had to learn to walk again.