The trial of Rajwinder Singh, accused of the murder of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley, began in Cairns, Queensland, on Tuesday, with significant details about the heartbreaking case revealed to jurors more than six years after the young woman's body was found on Wangetti Beach.
Singh, who is 40 and works as a nurse out of nearby Innifail, pleaded not guilty to the murder charge brought against him following the gruesome discovery of Cordingley’s body on October 22, 2018. Police allege Singh fatally stabbed Cordingley after she drove to the beach for a Sunday afternoon stroll with her dog, Indie.
During his opening address to the jury, Crown Prosecutor Nathan Crane outlined the horrific injuries suffered by Cordingley, stating, "No one saw it; no one saw her, and no one saw her killer getting away." The harrowing details included the wound to Cordingley’s neck, which Crane described as cutting through her windpipe, alongside defensive injuries on her hands—suggesting she fought for her life. Crane emphasized, "She was left with those injuries with no hope of surviving."
The tragic timeline began when Cordingley sent her boyfriend, Marco Heidenreich, a text message at 3:17 PM, indicating she would pick up a friend later. When she failed to return home, her family reported her missing. By 7 PM, Heidenreich had located her car parked untouched at the beach parking lot, which prompted immediate searches. Her father, Troy, found Cordingley’s half-buried body approximately 800 meters from her vehicle. The beloved pharmacy worker was dressed simply and left with no belongings—her phone, wallet, and bag were all missing, with Indie tied to a tree nearby.
The trial's jury was selected from hundreds of potential jurors after over two and a half hours of processing. It consists of eight men and four women, with three reserve jurors. Justice James Henry, presiding over the case, urged jurors to avoid any outside influence and to refrain from conducting their own investigations. "You may feel your knowledge means you cannot be completely impartial," he reminded them.
Crane elaborated on the evidence, explaining the possible circumstances of the crime and how it unfolded without witnesses. Evidence includes phone records indicating Cordingley's phone left the beach after her death. The court also plans to have the jury visit Wangetti Beach to understand the crime scene fully, with the prosecutor outlining the logistics of the walk they would undertake.
The injury details revealed by Crane provide chilling insights: Cordingley endured serious trauma before her death, with significant blood loss cited as the cause. The prosecutor noted, "These are factors the Crown will say is an attempt by the killer to distance themselves from the commission of this murder."
The standout factor remains the over 460 potential witnesses, including nearly 100 police officers and experts from DNA and telecommunications fields, who may be called during the proceedings. The comprehensive witness list also accounts for Cordingley's family members, including her parents and siblings, who had desperately searched for her after her disappearance.
While the prosecution focuses on proving the elements of the murder charge, the motive remains elusive. Crane explicitly stated, "What the focus...is proof of the actual elements of the offence of murder and… Mr. Singh was the one who did it." The trial is slated to last for at least four weeks, proposed as one of the judicial system's high-profile cases amid heightened media attention.
Looking forward, the proceedings will continue as the jury hears evidence and calls witnesses to understand fully the circumstances surrounding Toyah Cordingley’s tragic death. The murder trial sets not only the stage for justice but also aims to provide closure for family and friends devastated by the loss of the gentle soul described by community members, reflecting on her character as loving and humble.
Justice Henry is expected to guide the jury throughout the trial to maintain focus on factual evidence and deliver justice as they navigate this heartbreaking case of violence casting shadows on the peaceful Wangetti Beach.