Panel of Jurors in Prominent Down Under Homicide Trial Tours Beach Where Victim Was Discovered

Wangetti Beach scene
The remains of Toyah Cordingley were found on a remote coastline in northern Queensland back in 2018.

Members of the jury overseeing a high-profile Australian homicide case have been taken to the remote beach where the young woman was discovered.

The 24-year-old victim was repeatedly stabbed with a sharp object and placed in a sandy grave with minimal hope of surviving, the jury has been told.

Her body were found by a family member the following day on Wangetti Beach – a section of coastline nestled between the tourist centres of Cairns and Port Douglas.

Rajwinder Singh, 41, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Cordingley on a Sunday afternoon in October 2018 in northern Australia.

Jury Visit to Beach

The jury of 10 men and two women plus three alternates visited the location along with the judge and barristers on Monday morning local time.

In a nod to the tropical conditions and sweltering heat, Justice Lincoln Crowley opted for a casual top, sport shorts and trainers rather than a wig and robes.

Both the lead prosecution and defence barristers chose casual shirts, bottoms and headwear.

Scene Particulars

The court members were guided around 1.2km along the beach to observe where Ms Cordingley's remains were uncovered.

Upon arrival, as they arrived by bus, four markers indicated where the vehicle had been parked.

The trip was designed to help the panel become acquainted with key locations in the case and no official evidence was presented.

Background of the Case

Last week, the Cairns Supreme Court heard that the day after Ms Cordingley's body were found, the accused flew from Australia to India – leaving behind his spouse, family and relatives.

He was out of contact until he was apprehended years after, the prosecution said.

Court officials at the beach
Justice Lincoln Crowley with barristers and other court officials at Wangetti Beach.

Prosecution Case

It is alleged that Mr Singh, who was employed in healthcare in the community of Innisfail, near Cairns, had a confrontation with Ms Cordingley.

The victim was discovered wearing a swimwear, with her attire and belongings missing.

Those objects were removed by the killer to conceal evidence, prosecutors allege.

Her pet, Indie, which Ms Cordingley had taken to the beach for a walk, was found tied up to a tree hidden in shrubland about 30 metres from the burial site.

The weapon was ever recovered, and no eyewitnesses have been identified.

But the prosecution says the crown's case – though indirect – was comprised proof that indicated Mr Singh "and eliminated others."

This will involve evidence that genetic material obtained from a stick at the scene was extremely more probable to have come from Mr Singh than a unrelated individual of the population.

The court has already heard evidence suggesting that Ms Cordingley's mobile device left the beach after the incident – and that its travel corresponded with those of a vehicle belonging to the defendant.

Mr Singh's sudden departure from Australia also pointed to his guilt, the state has claimed.

Defence Stance

"While authorities were discovering Toyah's remains, he was organizing... a rushed one way trip back to India," the prosecutor said previously as he opened his case.

The defence is has not provided testimony, but in his initial statement, Mr Singh's barrister Greg McGuire described his defendant as a "calm" and "caring" man, who was in the "incorrect location at the wrong time."

He also hinted at testimony to come subsequently that, after his apprehension, Mr Singh told an undercover officer he had witnessed assailants assault Ms Cordingley and then had fled in terror – something he said was his "gravest error."

Mr McGuire has also said he will give evidence about individuals "identified and unidentified" who should come under investigation.

Further Evidence

Ms Cordingley's partner, the witness, whom authorities excluded as a possible suspect, was among those who testified previously.

The trial heard he was an initial person of interest – and that he had been interrogated from Ms Cordingley's father about whether he was implicated in his partner's vanishing, prior to her remains were discovered.

Images showing Mr Heidenreich on a walk with a friend on the date Ms Cordingley disappeared have been presented to the jury, with an specialist saying he was confident the pictures were genuine and had not been altered in any manner.

The case will resume to the standard environment of the courtroom on Tuesday.

Joshua Sanders
Joshua Sanders

A seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that shape society, based in London.