A South African national has been sentenced to life in jail for the murder and rape of popular far north Queensland photographer, Jo La Spina.

There were cries from the public gallery as the guilty verdict was read out.

Musa Brandon Ngwira, 34, had pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, murder and interfering with a corpse over the death of the 26-year-old.

Ms La Spina was found naked and dead in the shower of a townhouse at Bingil Bay near Mission Beach, north of Townsville, on April 19, 2014.

The eight-day trial heard from more than a dozen witnesses.

Forensic pathologist Doctor Paul Botterill told the jury the victim had suffered considerable injuries to her neck.

"I found more than 52 injuries to her body, mostly to her arms and legs, but also her neck," he said.

Crown prosecutor Nigel Rees detailed how Ngwira had earlier made advances towards the victim at a hotel near Mission Beach but she rejected him.

Ngwira, Ms La Spina and another man stayed at the Bingil Bay unit that night.

Neighbour Brian Norman told the jury he heard screams coming from a unit and the next morning, but he had not thought anything sinister of it and left to drive to Tully.

Killer lied to police, staged a suicide scene

The Bingal Bay townhouse where Jo La Spina was killed. ( ABC News: Josh Bavas )

The court was told Ms La Spina's body was found in a shower cubicle with a cord tied around her neck, and the water running.

Warrick Daniel, a friend and work colleague of Ms La Spina, had lived in the house where her body was found.

He had risen early to go white water rafting and came home to find Ms La Spina's body in the upstairs shower.

The court heard Ngwira then staged a 'suicide scene' and lied to police about his involvement.

He was taken into custody after his DNA was found on her clothing and body, but released after police could not find any witnesses.

Police arrested Ngwira again after seizing his computer and finding he used a search engine to find out what the sentence for murder was in Queensland, shortly after Ms La Spina's body was found.

Ngwira took to the stand during trial, telling the court his uncle worked as former South African president Nelson Mandela's security advisor.

In his evidence, Ngwira told the court Ms La Spina complained of having sore muscles and asked him for a massage as they stood in a backyard.

He said things progressed and they went indoors, although they did not have sex.

He said she suddenly became aggressive and hit him and that he put his arm around her neck to restrain her.

Ngwira's lawyer Peter Feeney said the death resulted from a struggle, and his client had initially denied any involvement because he was a ''second-class citizen, he's black, he's a Zulu" and had not thought anyone would believe his story.

In sentencing, Justice Jim Henry told Ngwira that Ms La Spina's death would have been terrifying.

Outside court, Ms La Spina's uncle, Phillip Spokes, said his family would never be the same.

"This day hasn't changed anything — Jo still isn't here," he said.