PICTURED: Woman, 24, is found dead on a Queensland beach after vanishing while walking her dog - as police hunt her killer

  • Toyah Cordingley, 24, was found dead at a quiet beach in northern Queensland
  • She was walking her dog about 2pm on Sunday afternoon when she disappeared
  • Police are treating her death as a murder and urge anyone with information to come forward

A woman's body was found on Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, on Monday morning, and police are pleading for any information that could help find her killer. 

Toyah Cordingley, 24, disappeared on Sunday between 2pm and 2.30pm, after she drove to the beach to walk her dog.

She was found on Monday morning between the foreshore and the start of bushland, and her death is being treated as a murder, Detective Senior Sergeant Ed Kinbacher told reporters. 

Toyah Cordingley, 24, was found dead on  Wangetti Beach in northern Queensland on Monday morning

Toyah Cordingley, 24, was found dead on Wangetti Beach in northern Queensland on Monday morning

She had been walking her dog when she disappeared on Sunday afternoon

She had been walking her dog when she disappeared on Sunday afternoon

Kinbacher said the area she was found in was not highly frequented, and has asked for locals to come forward with any concerns about suspicious people on the beach.

The detective also said Cordingley would have stood out because 'she was with a large dog and long, blondish hair with a purple tint'.

'No young woman should go to the beach to walk their dog and have this happen to them,' he said. 

The 24-year-old's parents are 'obviously devastated in regard to the circumstances', Kinbacher said. 'This is a shocking event.'

Friends remembered the 'amazing' young woman for her kind nature and friendly dog. Police are hunting for her killer and urge anyone with information to contact them

Friends remembered the 'amazing' young woman for her kind nature and friendly dog. Police are hunting for her killer and urge anyone with information to contact them

'She was 800m north of the southern access point, and there are only two access points at Wangetti,' he said.   

'It's a quiet beach. I'm not aware of any historical problems with this area.

'Anyone who has had any concerns about people they've seen on the beach in recent months, please come forward.'

Cordingley's car, which she drove to the beach on Sunday, was found at the southern entrance to the beach, and her dog was also found nearby.  

The young woman's family have been frantically searching for her, and her sister shared a photograph of her on Facebook with a desperate plea for information on her whereabouts. 

Locals shared the post and fond memories of Cordingley, remembering her kind nature and her friendly dog.  

'I met her last week, her dog ran up to mine and we let them run together along the beach. She was such a nice girl,' one woman wrote.

After her death was publicised, grieving friends turned to social media to share the devastating news and pay tribute to the 'amazing' woman.  

'No words could describe how amazing of a person you were,' friend Hayden Chalklin wrote. 

 'I can’t believe you're gone. I can’t believe I’m never going to see your smile again. I can’t believe I’m never going to hear your voice again. I can’t believe I’m writing this post. 

'I don’t know what to think, I don’t know what to say. I’m going to miss you so much. 

'You didn’t deserve this and you will never be forgotten.'

Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

Wangetti Beach (pictured) is north of Cairns. Cordingley was found about 800m from the southern entrance, in an area that is not highly frequented 

Wangetti Beach (pictured) is north of Cairns. Cordingley was found about 800m from the southern entrance, in an area that is not highly frequented 

Advertisement

Woman, 24, found dead on Queensland beach as police launch a murder investigation

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.