Former Nurse Found Guilty in 2018 Murder of Toyah Cordingley
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A jury has convicted rajwinder Singh,41,of the 2018 murder of Toyah Cordingley,a 24-year-old woman whose body was discovered on a secluded beach in Far North queensland,Australia. The verdict follows a complex legal saga, including a previous hung jury and a four-year period where Singh evaded authorities by fleeing to India.
A Brutal Crime and Initial Investigation
On October 21,2018,Toyah Cordingley,an animal shelter volunteer,went to Wangetti Beach,north of Cairns,to walk her dog,Indie. The following morning, her father, Troy, found her body after an extensive search. indie was discovered nearby, alive but tightly bound to a tree. The circumstances surrounding Ms. Cordingley’s death – a slashed throat and multiple stab wounds – immediately pointed to a violent crime.
Police quickly identified Rajwinder Singh as a person of interest approximately three weeks into the investigation. Investigators resolute that the movements of his blue Alfa Romeo correlated with data from Ms. Cordingley’s phone, placing his vehicle in the vicinity of the beach around the time of the murder.
Flight to India and International Manhunt
The day after Ms. Cordingley’s death,Singh booked a one-way flight to New Delhi,telling a travel agent that his grandfather was ill. He informed his wife, Sukhdeep Kaur, that he would be away for a few days, but she would not hear from him again for over four years. His family, financially dependent on Singh, afterward lost their home.
An international arrest warrant was issued, and in November 2022, Singh was apprehended at a Sikh gurdwara in New Delhi, following the posting of a $1 million reward by Queensland police for information leading to his arrest. He did not contest extradition and was returned to Australia in early 2023.
Retrial and Unanimous Verdict
The initial trial in 2024 ended in a hung jury, prompting an eight-month delay before a retrial commenced on November 10. Over three weeks, more than 80 witnesses presented evidence before the Supreme Court in Cairns. The jury deliberated for approximately seven hours before reaching a unanimous verdict of guilty.
An emotional response erupted in the public gallery as the verdict was read. Ms. Cordingley’s father was reportedly heard saying, “rot in hell, you bastard,” while Singh remained impassive. Sentencing submissions have been scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Conflicting Arguments Presented at Trial
The Crown’s case centered on the argument that only the perpetrator could have possessed Ms. Cordingley’s phone and that Singh’s immediate flight from australia demonstrated his guilt. The defence,however,argued that Singh,acting alone,would have been unable to overpower both Ms. Cordingley and her dog, Indie. They also highlighted the presence of other individuals in the area with histories of violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues, as well as access to weapons.
Community Impact and Ongoing Grief
Ms. Cordingley’s death sparked widespread grief and outrage in Far North Queensland. Hundreds participated in marches protesting violence against women, and many residents displayed bumper stickers bearing her name, demanding justice. The case resonated deeply within the community, highlighting the devastating consequences of violent crime.
Listeners can revisit the key moments of the trial through the ABC’s podcast, “The Case Of Toyah’s Murder.”
