The Toyah Cordingley trial investigates the 2018 murder of the 24-year-old found buried in the sand at Wangetti Beach. With fresh forensic analysis, digital evidence and emotional testimony, the retrial re-examines every moment leading up to her death. As the new jury hears the case, Australia waits for a verdict that could finally bring long-awaited closure to Toyah’s family.
Introduction
The Toyah Cordingley trial is one of Australia’s most watched criminal proceedings, capturing national attention since the 24-year-old was found dead on Wangetti Beach in Far North Queensland in October 2018. What began as the disappearance of a young woman quickly grew into a seven-year criminal investigation involving an international manhunt, complex forensic analysis, and multiple courtroom hearings. Today, the retrial of accused man Rajwinder Singh has become a pivotal moment in a case that has gripped the country.
This blog explores every major aspect of the Toyah Cordingley trial, including the events of Toyah’s final day, the forensic evidence presented to the jury, the extradition process, witness testimony, and why the first jury was unable to reach a verdict. All information is based on verified reporting, and direct quotes from court and media statements are included exactly as they were published.
Toyah Cordingley Trial-Background to the Case
Who Was Toyah Cordingley?
Toyah Cordingley was a 24-year-old pharmacy worker and dedicated animal shelter volunteer living in Cairns. Friends and family often described her as warm, compassionate and deeply connected to animals. On Sunday 21 October 2018, she drove to Wangetti Beach for a quick afternoon walk with her dog, Indie — a decision that tragically became her final outing.
She did not return home that evening. When she stopped answering calls, her boyfriend and family immediately knew something was wrong. Early the next morning, her father, Troy Cordingley, found her body partially buried in the sand behind the dunes. Years later, he described the moment with devastating clarity: he noticed an “odd-shaped mound” in the sand and scraped at it before realising his hand had touched a foot.
Her dog Indie was found tied to a tree nearby.
The discovery triggered one of the biggest homicide investigations ever seen in Far North Queensland.
Timeline of Events Leading to the Toyah Cordingley Trial
Understanding the current Toyah Cordingley trial requires a full look at the timeline of events from 2018 to now.
21 October 2018 — Toyah disappears
Toyah drives to Wangetti Beach with her dog at around 2:00 pm. She sends her boyfriend a message about picking up a friend from the airport later — ending the text with a red heart emoji.
22 October 2018 — Body discovered
Toyah’s father finds her body in a shallow grave near the dunes. Her death is immediately treated as suspicious.
Late 2018 — Police identify a suspect
Queensland Police identify Rajwinder Singh, a nurse from Innisfail, as a key person of interest. Singh leaves Australia and travels to India shortly after Toyah’s body is found.
2019–2021 — International search intensifies
Authorities in Australia and India work together to locate Singh. Australia issues an extradition order, and Toyah’s family continues to advocate publicly for justice.
2022 — Public reward sparks arrest
A large financial reward is offered for information about Singh’s location. He is eventually arrested in New Delhi.
January 2023 — Singh waives challenge to extradition
Singh appears in an Indian court and does not contest his extradition. The court recommends sending him back to Australia.
March 2023 — Singh returns to Queensland
He is extradited to Cairns and charged with murder. He pleads not guilty.
Early 2025 — First trial begins
Dozens of witnesses testify. After lengthy deliberations, the jury announces they are deadlocked.
Hung jury declared
The first panel cannot reach a unanimous verdict. A retrial is ordered.
Late 2025 — Retrial begins in Cairns
A new jury is empanelled. Evidence, forensic material, and witness testimony are presented again.
This timeline remains central to understanding the legal and emotional journey behind the Toyah Cordingley trial.
How the Prosecution Frames the Toyah Cordingley Trial
During the current Toyah Cordingley trial, prosecutors argue that Toyah encountered Singh at Wangetti Beach, leading to what they describe as a “confrontation” that resulted in her death. They openly state that the exact trigger is unknown, with the Crown telling the jury that what sparked the encounter “just can’t be known”.
The prosecution’s narrative includes the following:
- Toyah walked indie along the beach on the afternoon of 21 October 2018
- She crossed paths with Singh somewhere on the sand or near the tree line
- A struggle or confrontation occurred
- She was killed and buried in a shallow grave
- Her phone was taken and moved away from the beach
- Singh’s car movements correspond with the timeline after the killing
Prosecutors heavily rely on DNA findings, phone records, CCTV footage, and Singh’s sudden departure from Australia.
One prosecutor described the DNA evidence on a stick near Toyah’s grave as being “billions of times more likely” to belong to Singh than to a random person.
How the Defence Responds
Singh’s defence team reminds the jury:
- He has pleaded not guilty
- The case relies on circumstantial rather than direct evidence
- There are no eyewitnesses to the alleged killing
- Other people were in the Wangetti Beach area the same weekend
- The first trial’s jury could not reach a unanimous verdict
Defence lawyers argue that:
- DNA could have been transferred indirectly
- Phone data can place a device in a large radius, not a pinpoint location
- CCTV footage is open to interpretation
- The investigation may have overlooked alternate suspects
The defence urges jurors to keep one core legal principle in mind: reasonable doubt.
Forensic Evidence in the Toyah Cordingley Trial
Forensics form some of the most debated material in the Toyah Cordingley trial.
DNA on Nearby Items
DNA material collected at the scene is central to the prosecution’s case. According to expert testimony:
- A stick found near the shallow grave contained DNA billions of times more likely to belong to Singh.
- DNA was also found on logs near where Toyah’s body was buried.
The defence challenges this on grounds of possible contamination, secondary transfer and environmental exposure.
Phone Movement & Digital Data
Digital evidence is another vital part of the trial:
- Toyah’s phone stopped activity in the afternoon of her disappearance.
- The device later moved away from the beach.
- The Crown claims “the killer took her phone”.
CCTV footage shows a blue car, alleged to be Singh’s, travelling near locations where prosecutors believe Toyah’s belongings may have been disposed of.
The defence insists this data does not prove guilt and is open to innocent explanations.
The First Toyah Cordingley Trial & the Hung Jury
The first Toyah Cordingley trial earlier in 2025 ran for several weeks. The court heard from:
- Forensic specialists
- Family members
- Detectives
- Digital experts
- Civilian witnesses
After closing arguments and careful instructions from the judge, the jury deliberated but could not reach agreement. They told the court they were hopelessly deadlocked.
The judge discharged the jury, and the Director of Public Prosecutions ordered a retrial, leading to the current proceedings in Cairns.
The Retrial-What’s New in the Current Toyah Cordingley Trial
A new jury — 10 men and 2 women — has begun hearing the case again.
Key elements of the retrial include:
Fresh opening addresses
The prosecution again laid out Toyah’s final movements and the evidence linking Singh to the beach.
More detailed CCTV analysis
New focus is placed on mapping the timeline of Toyah’s drive north and Singh’s drive later that evening.
Digital and phone analysis
Technical experts are walking the jury through call logs, location pings and message records.
Family testimony
Toyah’s parents have described their heartbreak, while her boyfriend recounted the last text Toyah sent him and his search for her that night.
Forensic deep-dive
Pathologists and scientists are again explaining:
- The injuries
- The burial site
- Possible sequences of events
The retrial also introduces improved interpretation of digital datasets compared to earlier hearings.
Emotional Testimony in the Toyah Cordingley Trial
The trial has seen deeply emotional moments.
Toyah’s father’s account
He described finding the mound of sand, scraping at it, and yelling in horror when he realised he had uncovered his daughter’s foot.
Toyah’s mother and sister
They spoke about Toyah’s personality, daily routine and behaviour in the days before she disappeared.
Her boyfriend’s evidence
He described hiking at Spring Creek Falls that day, returning to find Toyah’s car at the beach, and calling her repeatedly without success.
He also recounted Toyah’s final message: she told him she had forgotten she was picking up a friend from the airport that night and added a red heart emoji.
These testimonies place Toyah — not just the circumstances of her death — at the centre of the trial.
Relationships, Friendships & Digital Footprints
The Toyah Cordingley trial also explores Toyah’s personal relationships.
Her boyfriend, Marco Heidenreich
He has been cooperative throughout the investigation. Police seized his phone early on, analysed his movements and questioned him extensively. He denies any involvement in Toyah’s death, and he has not been accused of wrongdoing.
Her friend, podiatrist Tyson Franklin
He exchanged messages with Toyah about airport pickups and weekend plans. Under cross-examination in earlier hearings, he admitted viewing disturbing violent pornography — a detail the defence used to suggest investigators needed to explore every angle in Toyah’s social circle. He is not accused of harming Toyah.
Digital records
Phone data, texts, calls and social media interactions have been critical in reconstructing Toyah’s final day.
Extradition-An International Element to the Toyah Cordingley Trial
One of the most unusual aspects of the Toyah Cordingley trial is its international element.
After Toyah’s body was found:
- Singh left Australia abruptly
- Police and diplomatic agencies worked with Indian authorities
- A major reward was announced
- Media coverage in both countries increased
- Singh was eventually arrested in New Delhi
He later waived his right to fight extradition, with the Indian court recommending that he be returned to Australia.
His repatriation was highly publicised, and upon landing in Queensland, he was escorted by police and charged immediately.
This extradition journey is often highlighted as a major turning point in the case.
Media Coverage & Public Interest
The Toyah Cordingley trial has generated widespread media coverage for years. Public interest remains high due to:
- The length of time between the murder and the trial
- The complexity of the forensic evidence
- The extradition
- The hung jury
- The emotional testimony of Toyah’s family
Local communities in Far North Queensland have held vigils, beach memorials and public gatherings to honour Toyah and support her family.
Media outlets have published explainers, podcasts and interviews to help the public understand developments in the retrial.
What Happens Next?
The retrial is ongoing.
Future stages of the Toyah Cordingley trial will include:
- More witnesses
- Forensic reconstruction
- Final submissions from both sides
- Judge’s directions
- Jury deliberations
Singh remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The final verdict will determine whether this long-running case finally reaches a resolution — or whether further legal steps may follow.
Conclusion
The Toyah Cordingley trial is one of Australia’s most significant current criminal cases. It spans seven years, two countries, two juries and enormous public emotion.
Key themes shaping the case include:
- The power and limitations of circumstantial evidence
- The challenges of interpreting digital and forensic material
- The emotional toll on Toyah’s family
- The legal weight of a suspect fleeing overseas
- The difficulty jurors face when no eyewitness exists
As the retrial continues, Australians watching the case hope for clarity, truth and a resolution that honours Toyah and brings closure to her family.
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