Australia - Toyah Cordingley, 24, body found on beach, 22 October 2018 #3

[Marg944]

BBM : I happy to hear that the DNA testing was done in a lab in NZ & not the troublesome QLD DNA lab!!

I just remembered how much you love forensics Drsleuth……. So here it all is…….

“The fingernail DNA matched Mr Singh’s at 26 of 27 points tested, said Forensic scientist, Jayshree Patel, from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited in New Zealand.”

“Ms Patel said she received and tested six samples from the Forensic Science Queensland laboratory, obtained from Ms Cordingley’s left and right fingernails, one from Mr Singh’s sandshoe, and three from logs and sticks from the crime scene.

She said her team ran different tests to those used in Queensland, Y-STR, which can only be performed on male DNA and compares 27 sites, and another called Mini-STR.


“We were asked to do specialist DNA testing (Mini-STR) … it is helpful for samples that might be degraded,” Ms Patel explained.

She said Y-STR testing produce a less unique profile “because that is the portion of DNA down the male line, and it doesn’t have the opportunity to create variation.”

Ms Patel said they tested the samples against Mr Singh’s DNA and Mr Heidenreich’s DNA.

The comparison between Mr Singh’s DNA and the fingernail DNA was repeated twice, with a 27/27 match returned in one test and a 26/27 match in another test.

She said a partial sample taken from a log at the crime scene was also found to be a consistent with Mr Singh’s DNA but not with Mr Heidenreich’s DNA.

Under cross examination by Angus Edwards KC, Ms Patel said Mr Heidenreich and Mr SIgnh shared the same information as one another at 15 of 27 sites on their DNA.“

Taken from the same link as my original post.

 

[SouthAussie]

The article doesn’t actually clear up the possibility that Singh’s clothes had already been washed before being forensically tested, seeing as his clothes were collected for testing 3 weeks after the murder took place. I would assume they would have been washed after 3 weeks?

They also might not have been the clothes he was wearing when he allegedly murdered Toyah. Depending what his reason was for going to the beach that day. If he was going for a swim, he might have been wearing bathers and some other shirt - which he then disposed of.

I remember way back we discussed Singh changing clothes on the flights back to India. Which might have been a bit unusual, but maybe he was trying to be unidentified or something.

This was my comment back in Nov 2022.

Looks like they have him on CCTV in an airport in shorts.
Then in an airport in long pants and a long sleeved shirt.
Maybe, a flight from Cairns to Brissy or Sydney, then a flight leaving the country. With him changing clothes in between.

Post in thread 'Australia - Toyah Cordingley, 24, body found on beach, 22 October 2018 #3'

Nov 3, 2022

Parents’ plea as CCTV emerges of moment key suspect in daughter’s death flees country

Toyah Cordingley was killed walking her dog on a far north Queensland beach. Two days later, a key person of interest in the case flew out of the country.

7news.com.au

CCTV of Singh fleeing the country.

Looks like they have him on CCTV in an airport in shorts.
Then in an airport in long pants and a long sleeved shirt.
Maybe, a flight from Cairns to Brissy or Sydney, then a flight leaving the country. With him changing clothes in between.

• SouthAussie

• 

 

[SouthAussie]

I just remembered how much you love forensics Drsleuth……. So here it all is…….

“The fingernail DNA matched Mr Singh’s at 26 of 27 points tested, said Forensic scientist, Jayshree Patel, from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited in New Zealand.”

“Ms Patel said she received and tested six samples from the Forensic Science Queensland laboratory, obtained from Ms Cordingley’s left and right fingernails, one from Mr Singh’s sandshoe, and three from logs and sticks from the crime scene.

She said her team ran different tests to those used in Queensland, Y-STR, which can only be performed on male DNA and compares 27 sites, and another called Mini-STR.


“We were asked to do specialist DNA testing (Mini-STR) … it is helpful for samples that might be degraded,” Ms Patel explained.

She said Y-STR testing produce a less unique profile “because that is the portion of DNA down the male line, and it doesn’t have the opportunity to create variation.”

Ms Patel said they tested the samples against Mr Singh’s DNA and Mr Heidenreich’s DNA.

The comparison between Mr Singh’s DNA and the fingernail DNA was repeated twice, with a 27/27 match returned in one test and a 26/27 match in another test.

She said a partial sample taken from a log at the crime scene was also found to be a consistent with Mr Singh’s DNA but not with Mr Heidenreich’s DNA.

Under cross examination by Angus Edwards KC, Ms Patel said Mr Heidenreich and Mr SIgnh shared the same information as one another at 15 of 27 sites on their DNA.“

Taken from the same link as my original post.

Also, that they DNA tested a tape lift from Toyah's hand. Evan McCrea (nudie tradie) was 340 times more likely to have been a contributor, and Singh was 26 times more likely to be a contributor.

Which is a bit puzzling. Did Toyah know Evan McCrea? Maybe touched him at some point that day?

No Cookies | The Cairns Post

No Cookies | The Cairns Post

www.cairnspost.com.au

 

[Marg944]

More DNA news from ABC report from yesterday:-

DNA at Toyah Cordingley's burial site 3.7b times more likely to be accused's than another's, court hears​

“The former Innisfail nurse is standing trial at the Supreme Court in Cairns which has heard evidence from forensic scientist Rhys Parry about tests of DNA samples taken from the scene.

Samples were compared against the known DNA of 92 people connected with the case including Ms Cordingley, her boyfriend Marco Heidenreich, Mr Singh, some family members, witnesses, police officers, and other persons of interest.

The items tested included a stick found partially protruding from the sand mound where Ms Cordingley was buried, along with bark, three wooden logs, sand taken from the area, and the lead from Ms Cordingley's dog Indie.

Boyfriend's DNA on dog lead
Mr Singh was 3.7 billion times more likely than not to have contributed to the DNA taken from part of the stick — a profile two or three people in the world would statistically be expected to fit, Mr Parry told the court.

It was also 42 million times more likely that a sample of DNA taken from bark came from Mr Singh than not, the court heard.

But Mr Singh was either excluded or regarded as unlikely to have contributed to several of the other DNA samples that were tested.

That included the dog collar, lead and chain, upon which Mr Heidenreich's DNA was found.

Mr Heidenreich's DNA was also found on Ms Cordingley's cap, found at the beach, a sample from which Mr Singh was excluded from having contributed to.

However, Mr Parry told the court an item often handled by a person could be subject to "swamping".”

DNA at Toyah Cordingley's burial site 3.7b times more likely to be accused's than another's, court hears

The man accused of murdering 24-year-old Cairns woman Toyah Cordingley likely contributed to DNA on a stick found at her burial site, but not on the lead of her dog which was found tied tightly to a tree nearby.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Doesitmakesense]

More DNA news from ABC report from yesterday:-

DNA at Toyah Cordingley's burial site 3.7b times more likely to be accused's than another's, court hears​

“The former Innisfail nurse is standing trial at the Supreme Court in Cairns which has heard evidence from forensic scientist Rhys Parry about tests of DNA samples taken from the scene.

Samples were compared against the known DNA of 92 people connected with the case including Ms Cordingley, her boyfriend Marco Heidenreich, Mr Singh, some family members, witnesses, police officers, and other persons of interest.

The items tested included a stick found partially protruding from the sand mound where Ms Cordingley was buried, along with bark, three wooden logs, sand taken from the area, and the lead from Ms Cordingley's dog Indie.

Boyfriend's DNA on dog lead
Mr Singh was 3.7 billion times more likely than not to have contributed to the DNA taken from part of the stick — a profile two or three people in the world would statistically be expected to fit, Mr Parry told the court.

It was also 42 million times more likely that a sample of DNA taken from bark came from Mr Singh than not, the court heard.

But Mr Singh was either excluded or regarded as unlikely to have contributed to several of the other DNA samples that were tested.

That included the dog collar, lead and chain, upon which Mr Heidenreich's DNA was found.

Mr Heidenreich's DNA was also found on Ms Cordingley's cap, found at the beach, a sample from which Mr Singh was excluded from having contributed to.

However, Mr Parry told the court an item often handled by a person could be subject to "swamping".”

DNA at Toyah Cordingley's burial site 3.7b times more likely to be accused's than another's, court hears

The man accused of murdering 24-year-old Cairns woman Toyah Cordingley likely contributed to DNA on a stick found at her burial site, but not on the lead of her dog which was found tied tightly to a tree nearby.

www.abc.net.au

IMO I think it will be hard for a jury to have no doubt. It's a shame it's only the stick that is so conclusive

 

[TootsieFootsie]

It seems like the defence has been really working hard for their client.
As you would hope your defence would.

 

[SouthAussie]

His wife was asked about this when testifying ….

Under cross examination by Ms Bilic, Ms Kaur told the court she had not washed the clothes Mr Singh was wearing the last day she saw him, nor had she noticed any injuries to his face, hands, arms, neck, legs or body.

From the No Cookies Cairns Post articles as per previous links…

Yet Singh's DNA was allegedly under Toyah's fingernails. Maybe Ms Kaur did not actually see the relevant part(s) of Singh's body after the attack. If they were going to divorce, it seems there may not have been any real intimacy between them any more.

“Testing carried out in a New Zealand laboratory has found DNA from Toyah Cordingley’s right fingernails was 310 times more likely to be Rajwinder Singh’s than a person in the general population, the court has been told.”

No Cookies | The Cairns Post

No Cookies | The Cairns Post

www.cairnspost.com.au

 

[Rocket333]

I’m keen to hear about all of the searching that occurred around Caravonica in 2018 and the reported items that were found. Did Toyah’s phone & purse end up in Lake Placid or Moody Creek? Was bloodied clothing and other items discarded in that water?

And the reported scratch and bite marks.

Back in 2018 cyclists around Caravonica were asked to report anything unusual, and Impey Street, Lake Placid, and Moody Creek - specifically between Dalton & Marshal Streets were actively searched.

"The first area of inquiry is that we would like to speak to anybody who saw any suspicious activity or anything out of the ordinary in the Lake Placid or Caravonica area on the Sunday afternoon of October 21 between 4pm and 5.30pm.”

“Police and SES volunteers yesterday found "numerous items" in a search of bushland and the waters of Lake Placid as part of the investigation, but they declined to say what those items were.”

“The focal area of the investigation has shifted from the beach to Lake Placid and Caravonica, about 30km south of the murder scene.”

“Witnesses saw the man, who speaks Hindi and Punjabi, with visible scratch and bite marks and behaving suspiciously on his return home after his trip to Cairns, it was reported.”

Police believe they're closing in on Toyah Cordingley's killer

Police are closing in on the killer of a 24-year-old dog walker who was found murdered on a secluded beach in far-north Queensland more than a month ago.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Police critical of reported 'breakthrough' in Cordingley murder

Police are critical of a report that said a male nurse who left for India suddenly after Toyah Cordingley's body was found on a beach near Cairns has been identified as a suspect in her murder.

www.brisbanetimes.com.au

Police reveal new lines of inquiry in Toyah murder case

Police appear to be narrowing their focus in the hunt for Toyah Cordingley's killer.

www.tropicnow.com.au

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Jury hears covert recording of Toyah Cordingley's accused killer

A jury has heard an undercover recording of the man accused of a Queensland woman's violent beachside murder, in which he says he witnessed the "killers" and ran for his life.

www.abc.net.au

A Supreme Court jury has heard an audio recording of a conversation between Rajwinder Singh and an undercover police officer in the Cairns watchhouse.

The recording was made after the former nurse, 40, was extradited to Australia, accused of Toyah Cordingley's October 2018 murder.

 

[Marg944]

The reason NZ did some testing…….

“Queensland forensic scientists sent five DNA extracts to a New Zealand laboratory with the technology to perform specialist testing on degraded samples.”

Jury hears covert recording of Toyah Cordingley's accused killer

A jury has heard an undercover recording of the man accused of a Queensland woman's violent beachside murder, in which he says he witnessed the "killers" and ran for his life.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Marg944]

'Most unfortunate man in Cairns': Crown addresses possible alternative circumstances​

“In his address to the jury, Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane said the alternative to Rajwinder Singh killing Toyah Cordingley was a series of “coincidences all coming down against Mr Singh”.

“The stick in the grave,” he said.

“The killer followed him at the same speed on the same route.

“And he chose that day to leave.

'His DNA was in her grave': Crown begins closing address​

A full gallery and the jury has been told the Crown’s case is based on three foundations.

If Mr Singh was involved in the burying of Toyah Cordingley.

If he took her phone.

And the manner in which Mr Singh “fled” his life in Australia.

Rajwinder Singh will not give evidence as Crown case closes​

Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane has finished calling witnesses in the case of Rajwinder Singh, 40, charged with the murder of Toyah Cordingley on October 21, 2018.

Mr Singh has pleaded not guilty.”

No Cookies | The Cairns Post

No Cookies | The Cairns Post

www.cairnspost.com.au

 

[Marg944]

Snipped by me….

Is that “stick” that’s mentioned a stick stick or a selfie stick? Toyah had a selfie stick with her didn’t she?

That stick was a selfie stick…


“Ms Cordingley's selfie stick and hat were found at the beach, but her phone, wallet, keys, and clothes were never located, the court heard.”

Jury asked to decide on three points in Toyah Cordingley murder trial

In closing addresses, prosecutors have told the jury they don't need to resolve every factual detail, including motive, nor should they focus on the more salacious testimony such as one witness having accessed "murder 🤬🤬🤬🤬".

www.abc.net.au

 

[Marg944]

“Evidence has now concluded in the trial.

In his closing address, Crown Prosecutor Nathan Crane told the jury they did not need to resolve every factual detail they have heard over the past fortnight.

Rather, he said jurors needed to decide whether Mr Singh buried Ms Cordingley in the shallow sandy grave, whether he took her phone from the scene, and whether he abandoned his young family and nursing career to flee to India because of the gravity of what he had done.

Defence counsel Angus Edwards KC is still to address the jury before Justice James Henry sums up the case ahead of jury deliberations.

The trial continues.”

Jury asked to decide on three points in Toyah Cordingley murder trial

In closing addresses, prosecutors have told the jury they don't need to resolve every factual detail, including motive, nor should they focus on the more salacious testimony such as one witness having accessed "murder 🤬🤬🤬🤬".

www.abc.net.au

 

[Hunter2_1]

Yeah ... I can't really play devils advocate here. But I have been reading the Cairns Post articles, and it sounds as if the defence is throwing a lot at 'someone else did it'. They have a list of possibles. Nudie tradie is only one of them.

Presumably they have some story about Singh 'found' Toyah's phone, he 'threw a stick', he must have 'laid on the beach where Toyah's blood was without realising it'. Then dumped his wife because he had already told her he was going to divorce her. IDK

Is it enough to convince one or two jury members? I hope not.

Surely not

 

[Rocket333]

Snipped by me….


That stick was a selfie stick…


“Ms Cordingley's selfie stick and hat were found at the beach, but her phone, wallet, keys, and clothes were never located, the court heard.”

Jury asked to decide on three points in Toyah Cordingley murder trial

In closing addresses, prosecutors have told the jury they don't need to resolve every factual detail, including motive, nor should they focus on the more salacious testimony such as one witness having accessed "murder 🤬🤬🤬🤬".

www.abc.net.au

Thanks Marg. Weird how the stick was left.

It now makes me wonder if Toyah had taken unwanted photos of someone being a little weirdo on the beach. Someone may have been sans clothes even. No clothes, no bloodstains kind of thing. A scuffle may have even occurred over the phone and someone wanting the photos destroyed.

I bet her phone & purse etc were dumped in Lake Placid or Moody Creek. The police were searching for days in those spots in 2018. It’s where the car and phone tracked to as well.

 

[BreakingNews]

Thanks Marg. Weird how the stick was left.

It now makes me wonder if Toyah had taken unwanted photos of someone being a little weirdo on the beach. Someone may have been sans clothes even. No clothes, no bloodstains kind of thing. A scuffle may have even occurred over the phone and someone wanting the photos destroyed.

I bet her phone & purse etc were dumped in Lake Placid or Moody Creek. The police were searching for days in those spots in 2018. It’s where the car and phone tracked to as well.

The selfie stick was found on the beach. A stick was found in Toyah's grave. That stick has his DNA on it.

 

[Rocket333]

The selfie stick was found on the beach. A stick was found in Toyah's grave. That stick has his DNA on it.

Thanks for the clarification BN. Comes across like a hasty and haphazard clean up job.

 

[SouthAussie]

Jury hears covert recording of Toyah Cordingley's accused killer

A jury has heard an undercover recording of the man accused of a Queensland woman's violent beachside murder, in which he says he witnessed the "killers" and ran for his life.

www.abc.net.au

A Supreme Court jury has heard an audio recording of a conversation between Rajwinder Singh and an undercover police officer in the Cairns watchhouse.

The recording was made after the former nurse, 40, was extradited to Australia, accused of Toyah Cordingley's October 2018 murder.

The killers faces were covered? With what? Covid hadn't yet started so it wouldn't have been with hygiene face masks.
Some kind of masked bandidos decided to kill Toyah then do a crapola job of covering up her death?

imo

 

[drsleuth]

Toyah Cordingley's accused killer 'saw murder' and 'handled it badly', jury told

A jury has heard Rajwinder Singh is a "coward" who became the target of a "flawed" police investigation after witnessing Queensland woman Toyah Cordingley’s murder on a secluded beach.

www.abc.net.au

Rajwinder Singh was the target of a 'flawed' police investigation into death of Toyah Cordingley, defence says​

Mr Edwards told the court Mr Singh had been "bullied at work” by a colleague and was "in a loveless marriage", which he couldn't leave because of the shame it would bring his family.

"He wouldn't be the first deadbeat dad to walk out for a pint of milk and not come home," Mr Edwards told the court.

"He stuck his head in the sand and wished it all away; devoted himself to religion.

"Once he ran away, each moment, each day that passed made it harder and harder to do the right thing."


Has he ever said why he was at the beach??

 

[SouthAussie]

Toyah Cordingley's accused killer 'saw murder' and 'handled it badly', jury told

A jury has heard Rajwinder Singh is a "coward" who became the target of a "flawed" police investigation after witnessing Queensland woman Toyah Cordingley’s murder on a secluded beach.

www.abc.net.au

Rajwinder Singh was the target of a 'flawed' police investigation into death of Toyah Cordingley, defence says​

Mr Edwards told the court Mr Singh had been "bullied at work” by a colleague and was "in a loveless marriage", which he couldn't leave because of the shame it would bring his family.

"He wouldn't be the first deadbeat dad to walk out for a pint of milk and not come home," Mr Edwards told the court.

"He stuck his head in the sand and wished it all away; devoted himself to religion.

"Once he ran away, each moment, each day that passed made it harder and harder to do the right thing."


Has he ever said why he was at the beach??

Not really. He lived in Innisfail (an hour south of Cairns) and was at Wangetti Beach, which is 40 mins north of Cairns. He apparently was a hospital nurse in Innisfail.
There are beaches much closer to Innifail. Apparently Etty Bay is a popular beach for Innisfail locals, just 15 kms away.

He said this ... "had travelled to the beach that day from his home in Innisfail after a fight with his wife, he told Indian police in an interview, according to multiple local news outlets.
He said he was carrying a kitchen knife and some fruit.
Singh had become “angered” by the dog barking and allegedly “stabbed her multiple times”, Indian Express reported, citing investigators.”

But it seems that last sentence has been excluded from the trial, as far as I can tell. And nothing really explains why he drove so far after a "fight with his wife". Or why that beach. Or what he was doing there.

The final moments of Toyah’s life on Queensland beach revealed after arrest of alleged killer

The accused killer had travelled to the beach that day after a fight with his wife.

7news.com.au