Women dies in terrifying bull shark ambush as hero partner in critical condition

WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: Livia Muhlheim, 25, was killed by a bull shark at Crowdy Bay, Australia, while her boyfriend Lukas Schindler fought off the animal and is now in critical condition

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

The first picture of a tourist who tragically died in a horrific shark attack in Australia while her boyfriend tried to save her has been released. The authorities in New South Wales have confirmed that the 25-year-old woman involved in the incident was Livia Muhlheim.

Her partner, who bravely attempted to rescue her during the terrifying ordeal, is currently hospitalized and in critical condition. Emergency services were called to the scene around 6:30 am after receiving distress calls about a young Swiss couple being attacked while swimming at a beach known for shark activity.

Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as lifeguards and paramedics worked tirelessly to stabilize the couple, underscoring both the dangers of the area and the swift efforts of authorities to manage a tragic and life-threatening situation.

The heartbreaking incident occurred early Thursday morning when the young Swiss couple decided to take a dawn swim off Kylies Beach at Crowdy Bay, a stretch of coastline notorious for its shark activity.

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The site of a fatal shark attack at Dee Why Beach in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.(Image: AP)

While they were enjoying their swim, a large bull shark launched a sudden and violent attack.

Emergency services were alerted around 6:30 am, but despite their quick response, they arrived too late to save Ms. Muhlheim, who had already succumbed to her injuries on the beach, reports the Express.

Livia, a successful academic and former synchronized swimmer, was using a GoPro camera to record footage of a nearby pod of dolphins when the shark attacked.

Lukas Schindler, a 25-year-old exchange student and newly minted diving instructor, displayed extraordinary courage as he battled a three-meter shark that attacked his girlfriend.

Just moments before the attack, she had been capturing footage of dolphins with her GoPro when the shark ambushed her, biting her multiple times and severing her left arm.

Despite suffering two bites on his own leg, Schindler managed to fend off the beast and carry Livia 50 meters back to shore.

His heroic efforts, even while injured, allowed bystanders to immediately step in and attempt to save both their lives, highlighting his desperate and courageous actions in the face of such a horrific event.

Schindler’s background is one of athletic and professional accomplishment, having served as a gymnastics coach from 2016 to 2018 before becoming a first lieutenant in the Swiss Armed Forces in 2019.

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

Ms Mühlheim was a gifted former synchronized swimmer and an enthusiastic runner, traits recognized by her employer.

Academically, she earned a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance at the same university and landed a position at a financial consulting firm in 2024, marking the start of a promising career.