Mayor makes desperate plea to find Toyah's killer
MURDER
DOUGLAS Shire Mayor Julia Leu today urgently called on anyone with information to contact police immediately and help detectives track down the killer of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley, whose body was discovered on Wangetti Beach 800m north of the southern access point around 7.45am on Sunday.
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In a statement, Ms Leu said: “This is a disgusting, horrific and fatal act of violence against a young woman who was enjoying what so many people do on a daily basis – walk along our beautiful beaches.
“It is extremely chilling to think a murderer is out there.
“The culprit/s must be found. Anyone with any information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” she said.
Ms Leu said she has lived here for 27 years and this is not something we expect.
“People know they can come to the Douglas Shire and have a wonderful, safe experience in our tropical paradise.
My deepest condolences, along with the whole Douglas Shire community, goes out to the family and friends of the victim,” said Leu.
Her body was discovered on Wangetti Beach 800m north of the southern access point around 7.45am on Sunday after being reported missing to police late Sunday evening. She was with her dog, who was safely found.
Police sources said Ms Cordingley had “visible” and “violent” injuries to her body, as detectives continue to probe “many lines of inquiry” in the desperate hunt for her brutal killer.
Police have launched a full-scale homicide investigation to hunt down the killer of the 24-year-old, described as a “beautiful soul” with a “pure and innocent” heart.
Ms Cordingley was a full-time employee at Paws and Claws at its previous Craiglie location and president Michael Kerr described her as “angelic”.
“She was a truly special person. She was innocent, pure and she had an amazing calming effect around animals.
“She had the ability to contain even the most tortured animals. Her death is horrific, it is devastating and I am absolutely gutted,” said Kerr.
She absolutely adored animals and this is how she will be remembered, said Kerr.