She Was Walking Her Dog on the Beach When Nurse Emerged and Stabbed Her 26 Times — and Heartbroken Father Found the Body

A heartbreaking incident unfolded on a beach in Queensland, Australia in October 2018, when 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley was found brutally murdered. Cordingley, who had gone out to walk her dog at Wangetti Beach, never returned home that night. Her family, in a tragic turn of events, discovered her body the next morning, half-buried in sand dunes, with a slashed throat and at least 26 stab wounds. This devastating discovery shook the local community and led to a widespread outcry against violence towards women.

The perpetrator of this heinous crime, Rajwinder Singh, a former nurse, fled to India the very next day after Cordingley’s murder. After years of extradition proceedings, Singh was finally convicted of the killing on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, and was sentenced to life in prison with a 25-year non-parole period. The trial, which lasted four weeks, culminated in a unanimous decision by the jurors to find Singh guilty, bringing some closure to Cordingley’s family, although it was described as a bittersweet moment by her mother, Vanessa Gardiner.

Vanessa Gardiner expressed that the verdict was a long-awaited moment for the family, but not one to celebrate. She described her daughter as a vibrant and innocent young woman, emphasizing the irreplaceable loss that Cordingley’s untimely death had brought upon the family. Gardiner’s poignant words reflected the deep emotional impact that Cordingley’s murder had left on their lives. The family will always mourn the life that was cut short and the potential that will never be realized due to this tragedy.

The extensive investigation into Cordingley’s murder highlighted the dedication and sacrifices made by the detectives to ensure justice was served. The case was noted as one of the largest and most complex in Far North Queensland’s history, leaving a deep scar on the local community. Singh’s cowardly escape to India, leaving behind his wife and children, was a stark demonstration of his callous and heartless nature. The judge characterized the murder as an opportunistic act of violence, potentially triggered by a confrontation that arose when Cordingley stumbled upon Singh engaged in a disturbing activity on the secluded beach.

Despite Singh’s attempts to evade responsibility for the crime, substantial evidence linked him to the murder, leading to his conviction. The impact of Cordingley’s death reverberated beyond her immediate family, affecting her partner, Singh’s family, and the broader community. The resolution of the trial signified a semblance of justice for Cordingley and her loved ones, although it could never fill the void left by her absence. The memory of Toyah Cordingley serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of senseless and violent acts in society.