Toyah Cordingley was murdered while walking her dog. Her mum just confronted her killer.

For Toyah Cordingley, October 21, 2018, started out like any ordinary Sunday.

Around midday, the 24-year-old pharmacy worker went to Rusty’s Market in Cairns. Afterwards, she was captured on CCTV crossing a road, wearing a crocheted singlet top and carrying a colourful, striped bag.

Later that afternoon, Toyah drove 40km to Wangetti Beach, along with her boyfriend Marco Heidenreich’s much-loved dog. She left her Mitsubishi Lancer, with the number plate “TOY 146”, in the carpark and went for a walk on the sand. That was between 2pm and 2.30pm.

Sometime after that, on Wangetti Beach, Toyah was killed. Her body was later discovered by her father, partially buried in the sand.

The beloved dog, named Indie, was found alive nearby, tied tightly to a tree.

Years passed as Toyah's grieving family waited for answers.

After a record $1 million reward and two trials, it finally came, when a jury delivered a unanimous verdict at Cairns' Supreme Court late on Monday.

Watch: Toyah's parents speak outside court on Monday. Post continues below.

Seven years after Toyah's body was discovered on an isolated beach, former nurse Rajwinder Singh has been found guilty of her murder.

On Tuesday, he received a life sentence for his "shocking and sickening act of violence". He must serve a non-parole period of 25 years.

"This event turned our world upside down for years, and we all know a special part of our fun, tight-knit family is now gone forever," her mother Vanessa Gardiner told reporters outside court. "We are different people now because of this tragedy."

Ms Gardiner said her family would "never forget" Toyah — or forgive Singh.

"We will always wonder what could have been if her life was not cut so short," she said. "As far as the person who committed this murder and inflicted a horrible death on our daughter, you will never be forgiven by us."

The four-week re-trial concluded after about seven hours of deliberation.

Singh's first trial ended in a hung jury eight months ago.

On Tuesday, Ms Gardiner read out a victim impact statement in court, supported by her husband Darren.

"I use the word theft in conjunction with murder because you stole something not of a material value — you stole the precious life of our daughter from us, and those who knew her," Ms Gardiner said, per ABC News. "It was done in the most horrendous way, full of the most unimaginable pain and fear."

She said every time there's a family occasion, they are reminded of the fact that Toyah is not with them.

"Toyah was an innocent young woman [who] was full of love of everything in her life," she said. "She never hurt anyone. Her character was one of peace, and [she had] such a positive outlook on life."

Her father Troy said he was in awe of the young woman his daughter became.

"She helped me become a better person," he said. "As a consequence of her passing, I will never have grandchildren."

He spoke of the impact her death has had on him — making social situations difficult as well as coping at work. "Even going to the shops or medical appointments, I find to be a struggle," he said.

"Everything reminds me of her and the pain is unbearable," he said.

Image: Facebook.

Singh's motive remains unknown but Justice Lincoln Crowley offered an explanation for the "extremely violent and incomprehensible" offending.

"Given the vicious attack that transpired, it is quite possible that she discovered you there, engaged in some type of disgraceful, embarrassing activity at a secluded spot where your true self could emerge, uninhibited," he said.

Singh repeatedly stabbed Toyah, slashing her throat.

"Toyah fought back and fought for her life," Justice Crowley said.

"But it was not an easy fight, borne out by the numerous defensive wounds she sustained to her fingers, hands and forearm."

The search for Toyah's killer.

Toyah had taken her dog to Wangetti Beach on October 21, 2018. Her family raised the alarm when she didn't return, before her father made the grisly discovery the next morning about 80m from her car.

Police claimed Toyah had died after "a personal and intimate attack".

Online tributes poured in for the "gentle, humble and loving" 24-year-old, an organic food store worker who also volunteered at an animal shelter.

About 350 people packed a small chapel in the Cairns suburb of Manunda for her funeral.

Soon after the body was found, Singh, a nurse from Innisfail about an hour's drive south of Cairns, departed Australia.

He boarded a flight to India, the country of his birth, leaving behind his wife and three children.

In March 2021, the federal government approved an extradition warrant for Singh that was issued by police over their suspicion he'd fatally stabbed Toyah.

By November 3, 2022, the Queensland government announced the largest reward in the state's history for Singh's location and arrest — a $1 million payout.

Weeks after the reward was announced, Singh was arrested in New Delhi.

He was extradited to Australia and charged with murder in March 2023.

Toyah and her dad Troy. Image: Facebook.

Singh had earlier waived his right to challenge the extradition order, telling AAP in New Delhi: "I want to go back. It is the (Indian) judicial system that has been holding things up."

"I did not kill the woman," he said, adding he wanted to "reveal all the details" to an Australian court.

Queensland Police later confirmed the $1 million reward had been paid to several people.

The world was a poorer place without Toyah, her father Troy Cordingley said.

"Today's verdict has delivered a form of justice, but for us, it can never be true justice," he said.

"Toyah will always be alive in our hearts"

This article was originally published on October 21, 2020 and was updated on March 3, 2023.

- With AAP.

Feature image: Facebook.