The case has been a stark reminder of the impact of violent crime on families and communities, as well as the persistence of law enforcement in pursuing justice across international borders
A Supreme Court jury in Cairns, Australia, has found Rajwinder Singh guilty of murdering 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley in 2018, bringing closure to a case that sparked widespread protests against violence toward women in Far North Queensland. The jury delivered the unanimous verdict on Monday after a four-week retrial, following an earlier trial that had ended in a hung jury.
Cordingley, an animal shelter volunteer, was fatally stabbed and had her throat cut at Wangetti Beach on 21 October 2018. She had gone to the beach to walk her dog, Indie, and never returned. Her father, Troy Cordingley, searched through the night before discovering her body the next morning, alongside her dog tied to a tree but still alive.
Singh, 41, fled to India shortly after the murder. He remained on the run for over four years before being arrested in November 2022 at a Sikh gurdwara in New Delhi. Singh’s movements were linked to the crime within three weeks, after police matched his blue Alfa Romeo’s location to Cordingley’s phone. A $1 million reward announced by Queensland police aided in his capture, and he was later extradited to Australia in early 2023 without contesting the process in Indian courts.
- The verdict sparked an emotional moment in the courtroom. Troy Cordingley, visibly struggling to contain his emotions, shouted, “Rot in hell, you bastard,” while Singh remained seated in the dock
- The murder had ignited protests demanding justice for women across Far North Queensland, highlighting ongoing concerns about gender-based violence
During his time on the run, Singh told his wife he was traveling to India due to his grandfather’s illness, but he did not contact her for the next four years. His family subsequently lost their home while he remained a fugitive.
Singh’s initial trial faced delays due to concerns over a large volume of late-disclosed material, and a subsequent trial in early 2025 also failed to reach a verdict. In the most recent trial, the Supreme Court jury in Cairns heard from more than 80 witnesses over three weeks before delivering the conviction.
