The murder trial of Rajwinder Singh for the killing of Toyah Cordingley has concluded its first week with compelling testimony from telecommunications and forensic experts. The Cairns Supreme Court heard detailed evidence about mobile phone data and forensic analysis as prosecutors build their case against the 38-year-old accused.
Telecommunications evidence places accused near crime scene
Telstra's principal expert in network data, Christopher Baird, provided crucial testimony about mobile phone tower data that allegedly places Singh in the area where Toyah Cordingley was murdered. The court heard that mobile phone records show Singh's device connected to towers near Wangetti Beach on October 21, 2018, the day the 24-year-old pharmacy worker was killed while walking her dog.
Baird explained how mobile networks operate and how devices automatically connect to the strongest available signal. His testimony focused on the technical aspects of how mobile phones communicate with network towers and the reliability of location data derived from these connections.
Forensic experts present physical evidence
Forensic experts took the stand to present physical evidence collected from the crime scene and during the investigation. The court heard detailed analysis of various items that prosecutors claim link Singh to the brutal attack that shocked the Cairns community and sparked an extensive manhunt.
Forensic specialists described the meticulous process of evidence collection and analysis that occurred both at Wangetti Beach and in laboratory settings. Their testimony covered multiple aspects of the forensic investigation, though specific details of the evidence remain subject to court reporting restrictions.
The forensic evidence presentation represents a critical component of the prosecution's case as they attempt to establish a clear connection between Singh and the crime through physical evidence recovered during the investigation.
International manhunt ends with extradition
The trial comes after an extensive international investigation that saw Singh flee to India shortly after Cordingley's body was discovered. Singh was arrested in New Delhi in November 2022 after a $1 million reward was offered for information leading to his capture.
The 38-year-old Indian national, who had been working as a nurse in Innisfail at the time of the murder, voluntarily returned to Australia after being extradited. His decision to return marked a significant breakthrough in the case that had remained unsolved for four years.
Justice Henry has been presiding over the trial, which began with jury selection on Monday and has seen multiple witnesses called by the prosecution throughout the first week. The trial is expected to continue for several weeks as both sides present their cases.
The murder of Toyah Cordingley shocked the Far North Queensland community and attracted national attention, with extensive searches and public appeals for information characterizing the initial investigation. The 24-year-old's body was discovered by her father at Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, after she failed to return from walking her dog.
As the trial adjourns for the weekend, the prosecution continues to build its case against Singh, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The case will resume next week with further evidence expected to be presented to the jury.
