“You and Ms Cordingley were strangers."
Rajwinder Singh has received a life sentence for the murder of Toyah Cordingley on an Australian beach in 2018. The 41-year-old former nurse was ordered to serve a non-parole period of 25 years.
Singh was sentenced in the Supreme Court in Cairns, a day after a jury found him guilty following a four-week retrial. His first trial, eight months earlier, ended with a hung jury.
Justice Lincoln Crowley said the motive for the killing was “unknown”. He described the crime as an “opportunistic killing” and a “violent, brutal attack”.
He said: “Ms Cordingley was a young, local Cairns woman who was just 24 years of age at the time you murdered her.
“You and Ms Cordingley were strangers. You’d never met her before. You did not know her.”
Cordingley was walking her dog at Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, on October 21, 2018. When she failed to return home, her family raised the alarm.
Her father discovered her body the next morning, about 80 metres from her car. She had been partially buried in the sand dunes.
Cordingley had been repeatedly stabbed and her throat slashed.
Justice Crowley said the only issue at trial was the identity of Cordingley’s killer. He said the evidence showed Singh carried out the fatal attack.
Justice Crowley said an obvious explanation for the “shocking and sickening act of violence” was that Cordingley challenged Singh over behaviour of a “sexual and perverted” nature.
He added: “Given you took her mobile phone after you killed her, it raises the prospect that she may have recorded you or sought to tell the authorities after catching you doing whatever you were doing.”
Dr Paul Botterill, who carried out the autopsy, concluded Cordingley may have survived despite severe stab wounds. However, the combination of chest injuries and the cut to her neck almost certainly caused her death.
After the killing, Singh fled to India, leaving behind his wife and three children.
Singh remained in India for years while Queensland Police searched for him. A $1 million reward was offered in late 2022 for information leading to his arrest.
Weeks later, Singh was arrested in New Delhi. He was extradited to Australia and charged with murder in March 2023.
Justice Crowley told the court Singh’s decision to remain overseas “prolonged the anguish of those who loved Toyah, and prolonged the administration of justice”.
Throughout the trial, Singh was described as a competent nurse who was well respected by colleagues. However, Justice Crowley said the evidence showed there was a “deeper, darker side” to him.
The judge said Singh showed no remorse and had taken no responsibility for the killing.
Justice Crowley said Singh posed an ongoing danger to the community. He said the sentence was necessary to protect the public.
The victim’s mother, Vanessa Gardiner, said in an impact statement:
“I use the word theft in conjunction with murder because you stole something not of a material value, you stole the precious life of our daughter from us, and those who knew her.
“It was done in the most horrendous way, full of the most unimaginable pain and fear.”
“Every time there is a family occasion of significance, there is always the so-called elephant in the room, that being Toyah is not there anymore.
“We all know it but we don’t say it.”
Troy Cordingley said he now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, flashbacks and severe panic attacks.
In his final remarks, Justice Crowley told Singh:
“You had your head down Mr Singh, but I hope you listened to the depth of their pain.
“You have left a void in their lives that can never be filled.”
Singh must serve a minimum of 25 years in prison before he can be considered for parole.
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