Toyah Cordingley’s killer Rajwinder Singh sentenced to life in prison
Suzan Seherin 
Rajwinder Singh has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Toyah Cordingley, a 24-year-old woman killed on a Far North Queensland beach in 2018. The sentence was handed down in the Supreme Court in Cairns after a jury found him guilty. The case has drawn national attention for years because of the long gap between the crime and the final outcome.
Toyah Cordingley’s 2018 death
Toyah Cordingley was killed at Wangetti Beach after going out to walk her dog. Her body was found the next day, and her death devastated family, friends, and the local community. The case became one of Queensland’s most high-profile unsolved killings for several years.
A long legal road to justice
The path to conviction was complicated. An earlier trial ended without a verdict after a hung jury, delaying closure for the family and prolonging public scrutiny. However, prosecutors later pursued a second trial that ultimately resulted in a guilty verdict.
Extradition and the court’s findings
Singh, a former nurse, was extradited from India to Australia in 2023. The court heard that he attempted to cover up the crime and fled Australia, remaining overseas for years before he was returned to face trial. The judge described the killing as extremely serious, and the sentencing reflected the gravity of the offence.
Non-parole period and what comes next
The court set a non-parole period of 25 years, longer than the minimum, underscoring the seriousness of the crime. Defence counsel declined to comment on whether Singh would appeal. Meanwhile, the Cordingley family has again spoken publicly about their loss during the sentencing phase.
Why this case still resonates
This outcome closes a major chapter in a case that has sparked wider debate about violence against women and the pace of justice in complex homicide investigations. As a result, it is likely to remain a reference point in national conversations about safety, accountability, and victim support.
Source: ABC News
Featured Image: Collected
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Sultanul Arefin 
