Murder Conviction in Australia: Justice for Toyah Cordingley

Tue Dec 09 2025 12:53:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Rajwinder Singh found guilty of murdering Toyah Cordingley, whose tragic death sparked public outcry and grief in Australia.

In a high-profile case that shocked Queensland, Rajwinder Singh was convicted of the brutal murder of Toyah Cordingley, who was found dead on a beach in 2018. The verdict comes after years of investigation and Singh's flight to India following the crime. The evidence presented during the trial pointed decisively towards his guilt, culminating in a conviction that has been met with relief from the local community, still mourning Cordingley’s loss.

A former nurse has been found guilty of the high-profile murder of Toyah Cordingley, whose body was discovered on a popular tropical beach in Australia seven years ago.

Toyah Cordingley was stabbed at least 26 times during a Sunday afternoon walk with her dog in October 2018.

The 24-year-old's body was discovered by her father, half-buried in the sand dunes on Wangetti beach between the popular tourist hotspots of Cairns and Port Douglas.

Rajwinder Singh, 41, fled to India the day after Ms. Cordingley's body was found and spent four years on the run. After a month-long trial, he was found guilty by a jury on Monday, eliciting cheers and tears from members of the public gathered in court.

This marks Singh's second trial after the first in March ended in a hung jury. Ms. Cordingley was well-loved by her community, and her death elicited widespread grief and outrage across Queensland.

During the trial, evidence revealed that she was "repeatedly" stabbed and placed in a shallow grave, with significant indications of Singh's guilt presented in court. Prosecutors highlighted DNA evidence linking Singh to the crime scene and matching phone movements between Ms. Cordingley and Singh.

Singh, who once lived in Innisfail, had quickly become a prime suspect but had already fled the country. The conviction is seen as a significant step toward justice for Toyah Cordingley.

Singh is set to return to court for sentencing on Tuesday.