Megan Pritchard: Toyah Cordingley remembered on five year anniversary of death

Five years ago, in early October, long time best friend Megan Pritchard and Toyah Cordingley had breakfast together and Megan surprised Toyah with a giftbox containing a note “will you be my bridesmaid?” It was the last time she would see her friend.

Five years ago, in early October, long time best friend Megan Pritchard and Toyah Cordingley had breakfast together and Megan surprised Toyah with a giftbox containing a note “will you be my bridesmaid?”

Toyah smiled broadly and instantly began excitedly planning the wedding and afterwards the couple took some pictures against colourful street art in a nearby alley.

Megan did not know it, but it was the last time she would see her friend.

Megan Pritchard took this picture of Toyah Cordingley after handing Toyah a gift box with a note saying “will you be my bridesmaid?” on October 3, 2018. Toyah would never be bridesmaid, as she was killed less than three weeks later. Picture: Supplied

Posting a picture of the beautiful gift box, Toyah said “thank you for thinking of me, Megan. After so many years of knowing each other, it is more than a pleasure to share these moments and watch as our lives change with each new adventure”.

School days: Megan Pritchard and Toyah Cordingley had a very special friendship. October 21, 2023, is the fifth anniversary since the body of 24-year-old Toyah was found at Wangetti Beach. Picture: Supplied

Megan would honour Toyah by bravely going forward to live her best life, with a beautiful wedding – and wedding pictures that included her holding a photo of Toyah, who should have been by her side on that special day.

“On that day, I never knew it would be the last day I would ever see you again,” Megan posted on the five year anniversary of their joyous breakfast.

Megan Pritchard and Toyah Cordingley were inseparable, with a once-in-a-lifetime kind of friendship. Picture: Supplied

“I can say grief doesn’t go away. I hurt and cry all the time. I just seem to have learned how to live with the pain,” she said.

“Every day, I’m reminded of you and how many wonderful and spectacular memories we created growing up.

Megan Pritchard and Toyah Cordingley were inseparable friends for many years. Picture: Supplied

“This year is one of the hardest months for me – every year, every day, every minute you’re gone.”

Toyah had the world at her feet.

Megan Pritchard and Toyah Cordingley: Megan says Toyah guided her on the best bath, listened, offered wisdom and encouraged her friend to always choose happiness. Picture: Supplied

She closely bonded with mother Vanessa and stepfather Darren Gardiner and her sister Leynah and brother Jack.

Toyah and her father Troy Cordingley had countless fun moments. She called him ‘Daddio’, he called her “bright eyes”.

She was in a happy relationship with Marco Heidenreich, who has grieved privately.

Loved ones meant more to Toyah than material things.

Toyah Cordingley and Megan Pritchard: “She was the kindest, most beautiful soul I ever laid eyes on, she was inspiring,” Megan has said. Picture: Supplied

She was the sort of person who left those who had even the briefest interaction with her smiling.

Toyah was passionate about animal welfare and worked in both a voluntary and paid capacity at animal shelters.

She loved being outdoors, especially at the beach, where her sister took a memorable picture of her holding a sign saying “do more of what makes you happy”.

Toyah Cordingley and Megan Pritchard, who says the Toyah’s Walk created at K9 River Retreat at Kuranda is one of her favourite places to visit and reflect on memories of a “beautiful, down to earth soul”. Picture: Supplied

That tragic Sunday, she popped into Rusty’s markets before heading home to pick up her dog and go for a long ramble on Wangetti Beach, a place she had visited often.

She would never return.

Toyah’s body was found at 7.45am the following morning buried in sand on the beach.

Former Innisfail nurse Rajwinder Singh, 39, has been charged with her murder and remanded in custody at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre.

Originally published as Megan Pritchard: Toyah Cordingley remembered on five year anniversary of death