An Indian-origin man, Rajwinder Singh, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the brutal 2018 murder of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley on a Queensland beach, according to reports by Australian media. Singh, 41, a former nurse, was found guilty by the Supreme Court in Cairns on Monday, bringing a long and closely watched case to a conclusion seven years after the crime.
Cordingley was killed on October 21, 2018, while walking her dog at Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns. The incident sent shockwaves across Australia, with the young woman well-known in her community for her work at a health food and pharmacy store in Port Douglas and her volunteer efforts at an animal refuge.
During sentencing, Justice Lincoln Crowley described the killing as “opportunistic,” noting that the motive remained unclear. In court, he strongly criticised Singh for fleeing to India shortly after the murder leaving behind his wife, children, and parents in Australia. “You left without even saying a proper goodbye to your wife, your parents, your children, demonstrating that your only concern was to save your own skin,” Justice Crowley said, according to ABC News.
Singh’s flight sparked an international manhunt. Queensland Police later announced a record AUD 1 million reward for information leading to his capture. He was eventually extradited from India two years ago, following extended negotiations between authorities of both countries.
With the sentence now handed down, Singh must serve the full non-parole period of 25 years before being eligible for release. For Cordingley’s family, who endured years of uncertainty and delays, the verdict marks a significant step toward closure, though the emotional scars remain.
The case continues to highlight the complexities of cross-border crime investigations and the impact of violent crime on close-knit communities.
