The man suspected of killing Queensland woman Toyah Cordingley has touched down in Cairns, where he is expected to be charged with murder.

Rajwinder Singh, 38, arrived on a privately chartered jet on Thursday after spending his first night in Australia behind bars. 

More than four years after Ms Cordingley’s body was discovered partially buried on the white sand of Wangetti Beach in October 2018, Mr Singh made his ignominious return to the tourist city – this time under police escort.

Handcuffed and flanked by detectives, the former nurse arrived at the Queensland Government Air base in Cairns early on Thursday afternoon.

He is expected to be taken to Cairns Police Station, where he will be formally charged.

A day earlier, Mr Singh arrived in Melbourne from Delhi before a Victorian magistrate ordered his return to the state he allegedly fled when Ms Cordingley’s body was found half buried in sand dunes.

Police believe he hid out in Punjab state after fleeing Australia, leaving behind his wife and three children at their Innisfail home.

Detective acting Superintendent Kevin Goan said on Wednesday that Ms Cordingley’s family had been told Mr Singh would return to Queensland.

“They’re clearly overwhelmed but delighted that, again, the judicial process will commence on Australian soil in the very near future,” he said.

Magistrate Martin Grinberg ordered Mr Singh to be extradited to Queensland after hearing police had DNA and telephone evidence linking him to the case.

He has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear at a court in Cairns once charged.