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Woman found dead on beach frequented by 'oddbods' had 'violent injuries' police reveal


The hunt for the suspected killer of a young Cairns woman continues with police revealing there had been recent reports of sexually deviant behaviour at the beach where her body was located.

Toyah Cordingley went missing while walking her dog on Sunday.

On Monday, the 24-year-old’s body was found with “violent” injuries in dunes at Wangetti Beach, 40km north of Cairns – a location police told the Courier Mail is frequented by a group of “oddbods”.

Homicide detectives on Tuesday announced they had broadened their search beyond the isolated beach north to Port Douglas and south to Cairns.

Ms Cordingley, whose large dog was found uninjured on Monday, would have been easily noticeable on what was traditionally a quiet stretch of sand, police said. Image: Facebook/Toyah Cordingley
Ms Cordingley, whose large dog was found uninjured on Monday, would have been easily noticeable on what was traditionally a quiet stretch of sand, police said. Image: Facebook/Toyah Cordingley

Officers told News Limited that she had suffered “visible injuries” and that they had previously had reports of nudity and sexually deviant behaviour in the sand dunes at the beach.

Police say Ms Cordingley’s visit to Rusty’s Markets in Cairns before heading to the beach is part of their investigation.

“If anybody has spoken to her at that location please come forward,” Detective Inspector Sonia Smith told reporters.

Police are also appealing for dash cam footage from drivers who travelled between Cairns suburb Smithfield and Port Douglas on Sunday using the Captain Cook Highway between 12pm and 7pm.

Det Insp Smith said detectives were particularly interested in obtaining footage from the northern and southern car park areas of Wangetti beach.

Authorities are now trying to retrace the 24-year-old’s final steps. Source: Facebook/Toyah Cordingley
Authorities are now trying to retrace the 24-year-old’s final steps. Source: Facebook/Toyah Cordingley

Police divers were also searching waters near where the body was found for Ms Cordingley’s personal possessions, she said.

The young pharmacy worker’s body and dog were discovered on Monday morning by SES volunteers 800 metres north of her car, which was parked in a camping ground car park.

Family’s heartbreak over death of ‘fun loving girl’

Ms Cordingley’s friends and family say they have been left devastated by her death.

Friend Sam Coffey said hearing that Ms Cordingley had been found dead was “heartbreaking”.

“Toyah was a fun-loving girl,” another friend said. “(She was) really great to talk to, easygoing.”

The beach was reportedly one of Ms Cordingley’s favourite places to walk along with her dog. Source: Facebook/Toyah Cordingley
The beach was reportedly one of Ms Cordingley’s favourite places to walk along with her dog. Source: Facebook/Toyah Cordingley
Ms Cordingley’s friends and family say they have been left devastated by her death. Image: Facebook/Toyah Cordingley
Ms Cordingley’s friends and family say they have been left devastated by her death. Image: Facebook/Toyah Cordingley

Friends say her boyfriend Marco is “distraught and beside himself”

Police say they have no leads or suspects but are treating her death as a potentially sexually-related murder.

“If we’re dealing with a potentially sexually related murder, which commonsensically we may be, we may well be dealing with a male,” Detective Senior Sergeant Ed Kinbacher said.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.