The man who allegedly killed 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley has touched down in Queensland to face charges after a successful extradition from India to Melbourne by Australian authorities.
Rajwinder Singh allegedly killed Ms Cordingley while she was walking her dog on Wangetti Beach in October 2018.
He boarded a flight to India the next day.
QLD Police video still of Rajwinder Singh arriving in Melbourne after being extradited from India for the death of Toyah Cordingley.
Toyah Cordingley was killed at Wangetti Beach on October 21, 2018 in a crime that shocked the Far North Queensland community. Picture: Facebook
In a statement read out by police on Thursday afternoon, her mother and father welcomed the news of Mr Singh’s arrival in Cairns.
“This is a very difficult time for me, both mentally and physically but it is positive news and I thank the police for keeping me informed and updated on a regular basis,” the statement from her father read.
“There is still a long way to go but moving in the right direction.
“I will continue to stay as strong as I can until we reach some sort of justice for my beautiful girl, all for Toyah.”
Ms Cordingley’s mother thanked the community “for their ongoing love and support throughout this difficult time”.
“Now we wait patiently for the justice our beautiful daughter deserves,” she said.
Rajwinder Singh was taken to Cairns in a charter flight and was escorted by state and federal police to a watchouse.
Toyah Cordingley’s family has spoken out about how the extradition has made them feel. Picture: Facebook.
The extradition of Mr Singh was described as “one step forward in the judicial process” for Toyah’s mother and father by Detective Inspector Sonia Smith.
Inspector Smith said Toyah Cordingley’s death “had an impact on everybody and I acknowledge that her family and friends are still dealing with the loss,” Inspector Smith said.
Police spent years searching for him after Toyah’s death, and in December, four years later, he was arrested by local police in Delhi.
The 38-year-old former nurse has denied any involvement with Ms Cordingley’s death and maintains his innocence.
Mr Singh touched down in Cairns early on Thursday afternoon on a charter flight after the extradition order was granted in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Queensland and federal police escorted him from the plane to the Cairns watch house.
“He is expected to be formally charged later tonight and will appear before the mandatory court tomorrow morning,” Inspector Smith said.
Inspector Smith did not confirm whether Mr Singh has agreed to be formally interviewed by police.
His extradition came after Queensland Police put up a $1 million reward for information that would lead to his arrest.
Whether that reward would be paid in the wake of his arrest would not be shared with the public, Inspector Smith said.
The young woman’s body was found by her father Troy Cordingley. Picture: Facebook.
Friends and family members of Toyah Cordingley gather at her memorial at Wangetti Beach to commemorate the second anniversary of her death. Toyah’s friends Megan Amour and Kieran Hicks place some flowers at the memorial. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE
Queensland Police would not confirm whether they would be providing Mr Singh with any additional security in prison.
“We will be protecting the arrested person just like anyone else,” Inspector Smith said.
The young woman’s death rocked her community in far north Queensland, with her disappearance sparking a police and SES search.
Her body was discovered by her father on Wangetti Beach not far from where her dog had been found tied to a tree the day before.
Inspector Smith repeatedly thanked the Australian Federal Police and India’s police force for their efforts in bringing Mr Singh back to Australia, who she said worked “tirelessly and relentlessly”.
More to come.
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