Toyah Cordingley case: ex-nurse found guilty
Sultanul Arefin 
A Cairns Supreme Court jury has found former nurse Rajwinder Singh guilty of murdering Toyah Cordingley, seven years after her death on a Far North Queensland beach. The unanimous verdict followed a four-week retrial and about seven hours of jury deliberations. Meanwhile, the court has been adjourned for sentencing submissions.
Toyah Cordingley’s final day
Cordingley, 24, drove to Wangetti Beach, about 40 kilometres north of Cairns, on October 21, 2018 to walk her dog, Indie. When she did not return, her family raised the alarm. Her father, Troy, found her body the next morning, half-buried in sand dunes. Indie was later found alive nearby, tied to a tree.
A case that gripped the region
The killing sparked deep shock and grief across Far North Queensland. Public rallies and ongoing community support kept pressure on authorities to find answers. As a result, the case remained in the national spotlight for years.
Long path to justice
Singh was charged in 2023 and pleaded not guilty. His first trial ended with a hung jury, requiring a retrial. This second trial heard extensive evidence and testimony over several weeks before the jury reached its decision. However, the legal process is not yet complete until sentencing is delivered.
Family reaction and unanswered grief
Cordingley’s family spoke of enduring pain and a future forever changed by her loss. Reports say a reward of up to $1 million was offered over the years, underlining the scale of the investigation and public concern. The verdict has brought a measure of closure, even as grief remains.
Sources: 9 News/ABC News
Featured Image: AAP/Collected
About The Author
Suzan Seherin 