An Australian court has sentenced Indian-origin former nurse Rajwinder Singh to 25 years in prison for killing 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley. The Supreme Court in Cairns delivered the verdict on Monday. Local reports said Singh killed Cordingley on Wangetti Beach in October 2018 while she walked her dog.
Justice Lincoln Crowley said Singh’s motive remains unknown and called the act an “opportunistic killing.” Cordingley worked in a health food and pharmacy store in Port Douglas and volunteered at an animal refuge.
After the murder, Singh fled to India. He left his wife, children and parents in Australia. Justice Crowley said Singh showed concern only for himself when he fled without saying goodbye to his family.
Police in Queensland later announced a AUD 1 million reward for information. Authorities extradited Singh from India two years ago after locating him with help from the reward campaign.
The court set a non-parole period of 25 years, seven years after the crime. The sentence brings closure to a case that deeply affected the Cairns community. Cordingley’s death sparked a long investigation and drew national attention across Australia.
