Public vigil to Toyah Cordingley held at Wangetti Beach as the Far North takes in news of suspect’s arrest

Friends and others close to Toyah Cordingley gathered for a public vigil on Saturday afternoon in the wake of news about her suspected killer’s arrest. Read the details.

Friends and others close to Toyah Cordingley gathered at a public vigil to honour her beloved memory and celebrate a huge step towards justice as the Far North comes to terms with the news of Ms Cordingley’s alleged murderer’s arrest.

Close family friend Prong Trimble held the vigil in the hot Saturday afternoon sunshine at Wangetti Beach and spoke to the small gathering on behalf of Ms Cordingley’s family.

“We never gave up, we always kept going … this is bloody good,” Mr Trimble said.

A vigil for Toyah Cordingley was held at Wangetti Beach on Saturday, November 26.

An estimated 40,000 recognisable sunflower stickers and banners advocating for justice to be realised in Ms Cordingley’s case have adorned vehicle windows and building walls for four years. Now the main suspect behind Ms Cordingley’s alleged murder has been caught, Mr Trimble said he’ll be off to the printers next week with a new slogan in mind.

“We’ll get a new sticker made that says, ‘justice for Toyah’. Justice, that’s what we want,” he said.

Rajwinder Singh, a person of interest in the Toyah Cordingley murder case, has been arrested in New Delhi. Friend of Toyah Cordingley's family Wayne "Prong" Trimble, pictured at the memorial for Toyah at Wangetti Beach, was overjoyed after hearing about the arrest. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Now we have to get this person, arrested in New Delhi, back to Cairns to face justice.”

Mr Trimble said he had spoken with Ms Cordingley’s mother since news of the arrest, and said she is elated the alleged killer had been detained.

“She’s over the moon, very satisfied. It’s the best news she’s heard in four years,” Mr Trimble said.

Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, where Toyah Cordingley was allegedly murdered in 2018. Picture: Brendan Radke

“But she said she’s cautiously optimistic because she first wants to see him (the suspect) be transferred here to Australia.

“It’s been a real roller coaster for the family but they are very strong. It’s part of a closure, but not a full closure.

“There’s a lot of other Australian families in the same position as Toyah’s, so I hope this arrest gives them hope too.”

Originally published as Public vigil to Toyah Cordingley held at Wangetti Beach as the Far North takes in news of suspect’s arrest