Alleged murder victim Toyah Cordingley expressed dissatisfaction with her boyfriend and desired to end their relationship one week before her body was unearthed on Wangetti Beach, according to testimonies presented to a jury. Rajwinder Singh has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Cordingley, aged 24, which took place at an isolated beach in far north Queensland on October 22, 2018.

Cordingley was last seen when she went for a walk with her dog at Wangetti Beach, near Cairns, on October 21, 2018, and did not return. Tyson Franklin, who met Cordingley a few weeks prior to her death for a podiatry assessment, testified that he had feelings for her, yet during cross-examination, he confessed to lying about the extent of their relationship to the police. He had actually stayed overnight at Cordingley’s home in the initial week of October.

The jury has been informed by lead defense barrister Angus Edwards that there are other potential suspects, including Cordingley’s boyfriend, Marco Heidenreich, who has vehemently denied any involvement. Franklin mentioned that Cordingley wasn’t content in her relationship with Heidenreich and wished to live alone. He also revealed that the last text Cordingley sent was to Heidenreich, stating her plan to pick up Franklin from the airport, which she never did.

The trial is expected to last an additional four weeks in Cairns, presided over by Justice James Henry.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/27/toyah-cordingley-murder-trial-rajwinder-singh-boyfriend-marco-heidenreich-tyson-franklin-ntwnfb