Hunt on to find those who helped Toyah Cordingley’s suspected killer

People who helped to harbour fugitive Rajwinder Singh, who is suspected of killing Toyah Cordingley, could be prosecuted by Queensland police.

• Inside notorious Indian jail
• Inside the sting that caught suspect
• Main Toyah suspect arrested

People who helped to harbour fugitive Rajwinder Singh, including those who provided financial assistance so he could remain on the run in India, could be prosecuted by Queensland police it can be revealed.

Singh was taken into custody on Friday in New Delhi, India, ending a four-year manhunt after the alleged murder of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley.

The announcement of a $1 million reward earlier this month led to Australian Federal Police receiving information in New Delhi that Singh would be attending a doctor’s appointment.

He was pulled over and arrested by local police on the way there.

Investigators believe Singh had been hidden away by a religious group and that he’d been accessing money using bank cards attached to the accounts of family members in Queensland.

Rajwinder Singh arrested by Delhi police officers on Friday. Picture: Supplied

Queensland Police Service Detective Acting Superintendent Sonia Smith, who has worked on the investigation into Toyah’s death since day one, confirmed people could still face prosecution.

“We certainly have an open investigation in relation to this,” she said.

“All of the circumstances leading up from four years ago until yesterday are under investigation.

“We would encourage people, if they have any information at all, to please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

Det Supt Smith said investigators who had worked tirelessly behind the scenes for four years were greatly relieved that Singh had been taken into custody.

She said she was told the news via a text message from an AFP officer.

“For a long time we’ve been unable to say anything to the public,” she said.

“And in the background we’ve continued to work hard as an investigative team to work towards this outcome that came yesterday.”

Toyah Cordingley.

Toyah was reported missing by her family late on the evening of October 21, 2018, after she failed to return from taking her dog for a walk at Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns.

Det Supt Smith said she was alerted to a missing person’s report at 6am the following morning after general duties police developed serious concerns for the young pharmacy worker’s welfare.

“I got up at 4.30am in the morning, so I had already gone and done a gym session and I distinctly remember receiving a phone call after I got into the car.”

That same morning, Toyah’s body was discovered by her father Troy as he searched the strip of sand for her.

Police later discovered Singh had flown from Cairns to Sydney that day, before travelling on to India, leaving behind his job, his wife and their three children.

Friends on Saturday gathered at Wangetti Beach where they held a vigil for Toyah.

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

Mr Trimble said he had spoken with Toyah’s mother since news of the arrest, and said she is elated the suspected 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.

“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 Hunt on to find those who helped Toyah Cordingley’s suspected killer