Police claimed Cordingley had died after “a personal and intimate attack”.
The tragedy rocked the laidback community, with hand-made posters soon appearing appealing for information and online tributes pouring in for the “gentle, humble and loving” Cordingley.
Around 350 people packed a small chapel in the Cairns suburb of Manunda for her funeral.
A record $1 million reward was offered by Queensland Police in late 2022 for information leading to the location and arrest of runaway suspect Singh.
Police believed Singh flew to India soon after Cordingley’s body was found, leaving his wife and children behind in the north Queensland town of Innisfail.
Weeks after the reward was announced, Singh was arrested in New Delhi, then extradited to Australia and charged with murder in March 2023.
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 a number of people.
“We appreciate the significant public interest in this matter, however, information provided on the process is limited as it is obtained on a confidential basis.
