Friends grieve loss of doctor
FRIENDS of a newly graduated Gold Coast doctor are distraught after learning the “one of a kind’’ young woman was the victim of a tragic drowning.
The body of Gemma Diessel, 27, was found by a surfer on Dicky Beach at the Sunshine Coast early Thursday morning.
The Griffith University graduate had just finished her medical degree weeks earlier and was working at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
Family friend Sarah Evans told the Bulletin her son and Dr Diessel had dated for five years throughout their early years at university and she had been “part of the family’’.
“She spent a lot of time with us, holidaying and was like my first daughter,” Ms Evans said.
“She didn’t live with us, but obviously spent a lot of time at our place. She was lovely and I only have good things to say and remember about her. A massive loss.”
She said Dr Diessel and her son met as foundation students at the Queensland Academy for Health Sciences in 2008.
Ms Evans said while the pair broke up before finishing their degrees, they all celebrated their graduation together in December last year.
“She was like a daughter to us and it was only a few weeks ago that I bumped into her and her mum and wished (Dr Diessel) all the best at her new position on the Sunny Coast,” she said.
Dr Diessel’s friends posted to social media, remembering a “beautiful, bubbly and funloving’’ woman.
Athena Hayes wrote: “Gemma was truly one of a kind. It’s not often that you come across someone that is genuine to the bone, down to earth, beautiful, talented, bright and
Gemma was.”
Cr Glenn Tozer extended his condolences to the Diessel family, saying they were very active within the Gold Coast community, particularly with the Mudgeeraba Show.
“It’s just heartbreaking,” he said. “They’re just an amazing young family … and she was just starting her career as a doctor.”
He said the community would rally around the grieving family.
Caloundra CIB Constable Alex McEwan said the death was still being treated as nonsuspicious, as investigators had been unable to find anything that pointed to malice or foul play. Dr Diessel’s car was found unlocked about 500m north of where her body washed ashore and her keys had been left inside.
There were no clothes or other belongings found and her phone, a black Samsung S9, was still yet to be found.
Detectives were eager to locate the phone, as it may help clarify Dr Diessel’s final moments. fun-loving as