Rajwinder Singh, Toyah Cordingley’s murderer, gets life in prison for ‘opportunistic’ killing; here’s what justice tells court

Rajwinder Singh, who murdered Toyah Cordingley in 2018, has been sentenced to life in prison for the "violent, brutal" killing. Justice Lincoln Crowley addressed Singh in the Supreme Court in Cairns, saying that the killer's attempts to cover up his crime and flee to India showed the "selfish and heartless" individual he was. Justice Crowley set a non-parole period of 25 years, which is longer than the minimum 20-year period, according to ABC News. Defence lawyer Nick Dore refused to clarify whether Singh would appeal.

The incident took place seven years ago when the 24-year-old was walking her dog at Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, on October 21, 2018, when she was killed. Following Cordingley’s murder, her father discovered her body buried in sand the next morning. According to 7 News, she sustained stab wounds, and her throat was slashed.

Rajwinder Singh, 41, was found guilty on Monday (December 8, 2025) by the jury after a four week trial in the Supreme Court in Cairns. Addressing Singh, who remained standing with his head bowed and eyes closed as he was sentenced, Justice Crowley said his motive was "unknown", characterising it as an "opportunistic killing," according to ABC News.

What did Justice Crowley tell court

"Ms Cordingley was a young, local Cairns woman who was just 24 years of age at the time you murdered her," Crowley told the court, as quoted by ABC News. He stated that the obvious explanation for Singh's "shocking and sickening act of violence" was that Ms Cordingley challenged him over some behaviour of a sexual nature.

"Toyah fought back and fought for her life — but it was not an easy fight, borne out by the numerous defensive wounds she sustained," he told the court.

ALSO READ: Toyah Cordingley Murder Case: Rajwinder Singh found guilty of killing 24-year-old in 2018 on Far North Queensland beach; here’s what we know so far