A man has been charged with the murder of Central Coast teenager Audrey Griffin, whose body was found in Erina Creek a month after police initially dismissed her death as non-suspicious. Griffin, 19, had been reported missing by friends and was last seen near The Entrance Road in Erina around 3am after a night out with friends. Police initially found Griffin’s body in the creek and deemed her death non-suspicious. However, after publicly appealing for information, police arrested 53-year-old Adrian Noel Torrens and charged him with Griffin’s murder. Torrens and Griffin were not known to each other, and police allege there was a physical altercation between them.
In addition to the murder charge, Torrens was also charged with 11 unrelated domestic violence offences. He was refused police bail and was set to appear in Downing Centre Local Court. Griffin, an accomplished athlete and student at the University of Technology Sydney, had competed in the New Zealand half-ironman just weeks before her death. Described by her family as a “radiant soul” full of light, kindness, and laughter, Griffin was a valued member of various sports clubs in the Central Coast community.
Griffin was a member of the Gosford Water Polo club where she was known for bringing a smile to those around her. She was also part of the Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club and the Terrigal Wamberal Sharks rugby league club. At the Sharks, Griffin played junior and senior football and was a member of the inaugural under-17s premiership-winning team, as well as the club’s inaugural senior women’s team. Her tragic death has left the Central Coast community in shock, as they remember her as a talented and beloved young woman.
The arrest of Torrens and the subsequent murder charge have brought closure to Griffin’s family and friends who can now seek justice for her untimely death. The circumstances surrounding the physical altercation between Griffin and Torrens remain unclear as investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to Griffin’s tragic death. The community has come together to mourn the loss of a vibrant and talented young woman who had a bright future ahead of her and was loved by all who knew her.
As the case progresses through the legal system, more details may emerge about the events that led to Griffin’s death and the relationship between her and Torrens. The Central Coast community continues to grieve the loss of a beloved member while seeking answers and justice for Griffin. The impact of her death has reverberated throughout the sports clubs where she was a valued member, and her memory will be cherished by all who knew her. Audrey Griffin’s legacy as a talented athlete and kind-hearted individual will live on in the hearts of those she touched.
