The murder trial of Indian national Rajwinder Singh has heard compelling testimony from a key witness who reported seeing a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows near where Toyah Cordingley's body was discovered at Wangetti Beach.
Key Witness Testimony Emerges
In Cairns Supreme Court on Wednesday, the jury heard from witness Sharon Chrystal, who described encountering a man behaving suspiciously near the crime scene. Chrystal testified that she saw a man emerge from shadows near the beach around the time 24-year-old Cordingley was allegedly murdered.
The court heard how Chrystal and her partner were driving along the Captain Cook Highway on October 22, 2018, when they noticed a vehicle parked unusually at Wangetti Beach. "I saw a man come out of the shadows near the dunes," Chrystal told the court, describing how the figure appeared to be watching them before retreating back into cover.
The Tragic Discovery
Toyah Cordingley, a pharmacy worker and animal shelter volunteer from Cairns, had taken her dog for a walk on the popular beach north of Port Douglas. When she failed to return home, her family reported her missing, sparking an extensive search operation.
Cordingley's body was discovered the following day by her father, Troy Cordingley, near the beach's sand dunes. The court previously heard evidence that she had suffered numerous sharp force injuries and blunt force trauma.
The prosecution alleges that Rajwinder Singh, then a 38-year-old nurse living in Innisfail, attacked and murdered Cordingley during her beach walk. Singh fled Australia for India shortly after the discovery of Cordingley's body, remaining at large for nearly four years before being extradited back to Australia to face trial.
Police Investigation and International Manhunt
The testimony comes as part of a complex case that spanned international borders. Queensland Police launched one of their largest ever investigations, with the breakthrough coming when Singh was arrested in New Delhi in November 2022.
Singh had voluntarily returned to Australia to face justice after initially fighting extradition proceedings. The court heard that crucial DNA evidence and witness accounts placed Singh at Wangetti Beach around the time of Cordingley's death.
The trial before Justice Henry continues in Cairns Supreme Court, with more witnesses expected to give evidence throughout the week. The case has captured national attention and highlighted issues of beach safety in Far North Queensland.
Local residents have described the profound impact Cordingley's death has had on the tight-knit community, with many following the trial closely as they seek justice for the popular young woman remembered for her kindness and love of animals.
