Australian Jury Finds Rajwinder Singh Guilty in Toyah Cordingley Murder

A Supreme Court jury in Cairns has found Rajwinder Singh guilty of murder. The verdict came on Monday, December 8, 2025. It ends a long legal battle for the family of 24-year-old victim Toyah Cordingley.Singh was convicted of killing Cordingley at Wangetti Beach in 2018. The unanimous decision followed a four-week retrial. The first trial earlier this year ended with a hung jury, delaying justice.

The Crime and a Four-Year International Manhunt

Toyah Cordingley was an animal shelter volunteer. She went to walk her dog on October 21, 2018. She never returned home.Her father, Troy Cordingley, found her body the next morning. Her dog was found alive, tied to a tree nearby. According to court evidence, she had been fatally stabbed.Police identified Singh as a suspect within weeks. They tracked his vehicle’s movements matching Cordingley’s phone data. He then fled Australia for India just days after the murder.Singh told his wife he was visiting a sick relative. He then cut off all contact for over four years. His disappearance triggered a major international search.The Queensland government offered a $1 million reward for information. This led to his arrest at a Sikh temple in New Delhi in late 2022. He did not contest his extradition back to Australia.

A Community’s Long Wait for Justice

The murder shocked the Far North Queensland community. It sparked widespread protests against violence towards women. For years, locals demanded answers and justice for Toyah.The recent trial heard evidence from more than 80 witnesses. The prosecution presented a detailed case over three weeks. The jury ultimately rejected the defense’s arguments.During the verdict, Toyah’s father was visibly emotional. He addressed Singh directly in the courtroom. His words reflected a family’s seven-year nightmare.The judge will hear sentencing arguments next. Singh now faces a mandatory life sentence. The judge must set a non-parole period.

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This guilty verdict provides long-awaited closure. The conviction of Rajwinder Singh concludes a tragic chapter. It brings a measure of peace to a grieving family and community.

Thought you’d like to know

Who was Toyah Cordingley?

Toyah Cordingley was a 24-year-old woman from Cairns. She was a passionate volunteer at a local animal shelter. Her death in 2018 profoundly impacted her community.

How was Rajwinder Singh caught?

He was arrested in India after a $1 million reward was offered. Information from the public led police to his location in New Delhi. He was then extradited to Australia to stand trial.

What was the key evidence in the trial?

Police matched his car’s movements to Cordingley’s phone data. Forensic evidence from the scene was also critical. The collective evidence presented over three weeks convinced the jury.

What happens to Rajwinder Singh now?

He faces a mandatory life sentence for murder. A judge will soon determine his minimum prison term before parole eligibility. He will remain in custody until that sentencing hearing.

Why did the case take so long to resolve?

Singh evaded capture by fleeing to India for four years. His first trial in 2025 ended without a verdict when the jury could not agree. This required a complete retrial, which just concluded.