Toyah Cordingley murder: $1m reward for capture of suspect Rajwinder Singh

The mother of Toyah Cordingley says she hopes a million-dollar reward for the capture of her daughter’s suspected murderer “gives her the justice she deserves”.

Toyah Cordingley’s mother said she “couldn’t believe” police had organised a million-dollar reward for information leading to the arrest of suspected killer Rajwinder Singh and that she hopes it will help the family finally get justice.

Investigators are hoping the reward – the largest in the state’s history – will assist them in finding and arresting Mr Singh.

Toyah was 24 when she was attacked and killed in October, 2018, while walking her dog along the picturesque North Queensland Wangetti Beach.

Her body was found by her father the following morning during a frantic search conducted by friends and family.

Police later discovered Innisfail nurse Mr Singh had boarded a plane to India two days after Ms Cordingley’s murder, leaving behind his job, his wife and their three children.

Police on Thursday released CCTV footage of Mr Singh leaving the country via Cairns and Sydney airports on October 23, 2018.

Victim Toyah Cordingley, 24

Queensland Police Service confirmed three detectives had travelled to India to assist local authorities “on the ground”.

Toyah’s mum Vanessa, in a video message released by police, said her daughter was a beautiful spiritual person.

“And her life was taken way too early,” she said.

“I see her friends and stuff married with kids now and think of everything she has missed out on in her life.

“She was just about to start her first full-time job on the Monday which never happened.

Vanessa said her daughter loved “everyone” and animals.

“She would do anything for anybody,” she said.

“A lot of people knew Toyah for Toyah but they didn’t actually know her.

“Because she was such a great person, her personality and helping people, she just stuck out in the crowd.”

Toyah Cordingley's mother Vanessa says she hopes her daughter gets the justice she deserves. Picture: Supplied

Vanessa said she couldn’t believe police had announced an award and that her daughter would not have expected such publicity.

“I’m hoping that someone will come through with information and Toyah gets the justice that she deserves.

“I know they (police) haven’t stopped, there is so much behind the scenes that people don’t understand. There is so much stuff that you can’t say to your family and friends and especially about the reward, when I found out I just wanted to tell everybody.

“I can’t believe that it is $1m but Toyah deserves that. She deserves every bit of it. And I just hope that I get that call very soon to say that they found him.

“Anyone that knows where he is, please turn him in. Or if he sees it I wish he would come forward and turn himself in. It’s the biggest reward and I really hope someone because of that will find him.”

Toyah’s father Troy said justice is the least his daughter deserved and that her killer had faced no consequences for their “atrocious acts”.

“I very much welcome this announcement from the Queensland Government and the Queensland Police,” he said of the record $1 million reward.

“Toyah was a young woman who will never get the chance to live a full life and all that entails - never get the chance to live, laugh and love, never get the chance to have children or grandchildren, to grow old.

“She’ll never get the chance to live the life she deserved. This was taken away from her by a horrendous act and the person who committed it.

“This person is right now living free with no consequences for their terrible crime and could even be committing more atrocious acts.

“This is not acceptable.”

Mr Cordingley said justice would not bring his daughter back, but it was “the very least that she deserves”.

“At the very minimum, this person must be removed from society and held accountable for their crime,” he said.

CCTV of Rajwinder Singh at Sydney Airport

Detective Acting Superintendent Sonia Smith would not comment on whether police had any idea where Singh might be living, other than to confirm his last known location was in India.

“Our primary focus has always been on ensuring Toyah’s killer is brought to justice without compromising the investigation,” she said at a press conference today.

“I would like to commend the dedicated police officers who have remained unwavering in their commitment to deliver justice for Toyah, her family, her partner, friends and the local community, who have shown immense support.

“Importantly, I would like to recognise Toyah’s parents, Vanessa and Troy, for their strength during this extremely difficult time.

“And lastly, I offer my sincere condolences for those who are still coming to terms with the tragedy, following the fourth year (anniversary of her death).”

Det Supt Smith said it had been a “complex investigation” that had come with many challenges.

“What’s really important is that we maintain the integrity of the investigation,” she said.

“So today we are providing someone one million reasons to come forward and tell us where Singh is.”

CCTV of Rajwinder Singh at Sydney Airport

She said police who were able to speak Punjabi and Hindi had been brought into Cairns to help communicate with anyone who might have information.

Those officers would also be able to assist in receiving information from India, with a public campaign internationally encouraging people to contact Queensland Police via WhatsApp.

“If you, or someone you know, knows where Singh is, please contact police,” Det Supt Smith said.

“We would like this message to go worldwide.

“We would like this message to be heard in every part of the world to maximise our opportunity for someone to come forward and tell us where he is.”

Det Supt Smith said a reward of up to $1m would be paid at the “sole discretion” of the Queensland Police Commissioner.

She described the reward as unique in that it relied on an arrest, rather than information that could help solve a crime.

“In addition, an appropriate indemnity from prosecution will be recommended for any accomplice not being the person who actually committed the crime who first gives such information,” Supt Smith said.

“This reward is unique in that we’re appealing to any member of the public for information which could assist police in locating and arresting Singh.

“In usual terms, a reward of this nature would be posted to seek public assistance in solving a crime.”

She said police were working with the Australian Federal Police, Commonwealth Attorney-General’s department, as well as Indian authorities, to locate Mr Singh.

Mr Singh’s family previously told The Courier-Mail he flew to his hometown of Amritsar in Punjab but that the timing was a coincidence.

“Raj is not capable of murder,’’ his brother-in-law Harpreet Singh told The Courier-Mail at the family home in Innisfail in 2018.

“He is too quiet, too afraid. He was under a lot of tension from his work.”

Australian authorities have worked with the Indian government over the past two years to secure an extradition order to have Mr Singh returned to Queensland where a warrant has been issued over Ms Cordingley’s murder.

The Australian Attorney-General’s office confirmed late last month an extradition order for the nurse had been signed by the Indian government.

Ms Cordingley was a pharmacy assistant and animal welfare volunteer who was described as a “beautiful soul”.

She drove to her favourite Wangetti Beach about 2.30pm on Sunday, October 21, 2018 and her family reported her missing at 11pm. Her dog was found tied up near her body.

Toyah Cordingley was a frequent visitor to secluded Wangetti Beach.

Ms Cordingley’s father Troy wrote an emotive tribute to his daughter on social media, two months after he found her body.

“After four to five hours of searching with others, I found her body on the beach,” he said.

“Toyah is my only child.

“Finding her body has burnt an indelible image in my mind.

“It is something a father should never have to suffer.

“Toyah and I shared a love that only a father and daughter can understand.

“I feel lost and empty inside but will always have the wonderful memories of those 24 years.

“Twenty-four years, she should have had so many more.”

Last year, at Christmas, he posted again about his heartbreak.

“The 4th Christmas without our Toyah, my Brighteyes,” he wrote.

“We will always put up the front hedge decorations just as Toyah and I used to do.

“I can feel her with me.

“We also put up the sunflower Christmas tree, I am sure she loves it.”

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Toyah Cordingley with her father Troy Cordingley

TIMELINE OF A TRAGEDY

October 21, 2018: Toyah Cordingley drives to Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, to walk her dog, but does not return.

October 22, 2018: Ms Cordingley’s body is discovered in a shallow grave by her father after family and friends went searching for her.

October 23, 2018: Rajwinder Singh flies to India, departing Cairns and travelling through Sydney.

March 2021: An extradition request is lodged with the Indian government for the return of Mr Singh to face a charge of murder.

October 2022: The Indian Government approves the extradition order.