Far North police launch public appeal to track Toyah Cordingley’s movements before her alleged murder
MORE than 20 people have so far come forward to provide police with information surrounding Toyah Cordingley’s death.
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MORE than 20 people have come forward to provide police with information about Toyah Cordingley’s murder.
The lines of inquiry have been made through Crime Stoppers.
Police say they are relying on information from the public in helping to find the 24-year-old Cairns woman’s killer.
Far North District Detective Inspector Sonia Smith said police were treating Ms Cordingley’s death as a homicide investigation.
“We have a very open mind with respect to this investigation and with the assistance of the public we will follow every lead until we get answers in relation to Toyah’s death … and get answers for Toyah’s family,” she said.
“We have ruled nothing in and nothing out, that’s why we are appealing to the public to generate more information so that we can identify Toyah’s movements and identify who was at those locations on Sunday afternoon.”
Ms Cordingley was found dead on Wangetti Beach, about 42km north of Cairns, on Monday morning after she had been reported missing by family late Sunday after taking her dog for a walk.
Her car was found in the southern carpark of the secluded beach.
Police divers from Brisbane will search the water at Wangetti Beach today, along with SES crews who are searching the beach and dense bushland.
“They’re searching for personal items,” Det-Inspector Smith said. “We do have a number of scientific officers at the scene conducting a forensic examination.”
Det-Inspector Smith said police wanted to talk to as many members of the public as possible to help track Ms Cordingley’s movements up until the time of her death.
This includes anyone who had interacted or spoken with Ms Cordingley at Rusty’s Markets on Sheridan St, between noon and 1pm on Sunday.
Police are seeking dashcam footage from anyone who travelled along the Captain Cook Highway between Smithfield and Port Douglas on Sunday between noon and 7pm.
Anyone who regularly uses the northern or southern carparks at Wangetti Beach is urged to contact police.
Residents have said the secluded beach had become home to a group of “oddbods” and vagrants illegally camping in thick bushland near the southern carpark, about 800m from the scene. Some had been seen naked with reports of sexually deviant behaviour in the sand dunes in recent weeks.
One witness, who has given a statement to police, said he and a group of friends were at the northern end of the beach with other families between 2pm and 4pm.
They were driving back to Cairns near the southern carpark when they were waved down by two scruffily-dressed men in a ute with a flat tyre.
“We stopped to help, and they were in a really stressed state, it might be nothing, but they were really strange, and in a real panic to get out of there,’’ the witness said.
Ms Cordingley’s death has rocked the community.
Animal Rehoming Cairns and Tablelands District has remembered her as a woman with “a heart of gold”.
“Our hearts go out to her family, partner and dear friends, who are so devastated by her loss,” the group said.
“Toyah will be so badly missed by so many.
“She deserved so much better than this.”
Anyone who can provide police with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS:
Sunday, noon to 1pm — Cairns woman Toyah Cordingley attends Rusty’s Markets in Cairns.
Between 2pm-2.30pm — The 24-year-old arrives at the southern access point of Wangetti Beach with her dog. She parks in the dirt car park off the Captain Cook Highway and walks north along the beach.
11pm — Toyah is reported missing by her family to police.
Monday, 6.30am — Family members and friends put a call out on social media after Toyah failed to return home.
7.45am — Police and SES locate Toyah’s body on Wangetti Beach, 800m from where she had parked her car. Her dog was also found safe in the area.
12pm — Police confirm Toyah’s identity and issue a public appeal for anyone with information into the alleged murder.
Tuesday morning — Police conduct door knocks throughout the Wangetti community and SES continue searches along Wangetti Beach.
10.20am — Police renew their appeal for public assistance and ask for anyone with vision or dashcam footage from Smithfield to Port Dougals along the Captain Cook Hwy, and the north and south carparks at Wangetti Beach, to come forward.
1pm — Police reveal they have more than 23 Crime Stoppers files of people who have come forward with information in regards Toyah’s death.
Originally published as Far North police launch public appeal to track Toyah Cordingley’s movements before her alleged murder
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