Queensland offers $1m reward in pursuit of man in India suspected of Toyah Cordingley’s murder
A $1m reward is on offer to help catch a man who police suspect may have murdered Toyah Cordingley on a Queensland beach before fleeing to India.
It has been four years since the 24-year-old was found in the dunes of Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, after what police have called “a personal and intimate attack”.
Her father found Toyah’s body a day after the pharmacy worker and animal shelter volunteer took her dog for a walk and never came home in October 2018.
Queensland’s police minister, Mark Ryan, approved the major reward for information leading to the location and arrest of key suspect 38-year-old Rajwinder Singh.
He said an appropriate indemnity from prosecution would be considered for any accomplice, not being the person who committed the crime, who gives information that leads to Singh’s arrest.
Sign up for our free morning and afternoon email newsletters from Guardian Australia for your daily news roundup Detective acting superintendent Sonia Smith said on Wednesday a dedicated team of detectives had continued to work tirelessly towards ensuring justice for Toyah and her family.
“We strongly believe there are people in Australia and overseas who could share information about the whereabouts of Rajwinder Singh,” she said.
“This is most definitely the time to come forward and tell us what you know.”
Australian authorities made a request to extradite Singh from India in March 2021.
He lived in Innisfail but is originally from Buttar Kalan, Punjab India.
Deputy commissioner Tracy Linford said this was the first time an initial reward of $1m had been offered in Queensland.
“It is critical we capture the attention of an international audience to reach this individual,” she said.
Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 802 9999. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html