Tip-off led to arrest of teenager’s accused murderer
Adelaide Lang |
Police have revealed they were uneasy about attributing a teen sportswoman’s death to an accident before fresh information sparked surprise murder charges.
The body of 19-year-old Audrey Griffin was discovered partially submerged in Erina Creek on the NSW Central Coast on March 24 after going missing on a night out.
Her alleged killer was arrested on Monday after a four-week investigation into the rugby league and water polo player’s death.
“This is a matter which has not sat well with us from the start,” Superintendent Darryl Jobson said on Tuesday.
A number of leads came in over the past four weeks before a breakthrough on Friday opened the door to arresting 53-year-old Adrian Noel Torrens.
Police allege the pair were not known to each other but became involved in a physical altercation after 3am on March 23.
“We received significant information which transferred this investigation to a homicide investigation,” Supt Jobson said.
Torrens was arrested on Monday and spent the night in custody before his matter was briefly mentioned in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday.
He did not face court or ask to be released on bail, which was formally refused.
The 53-year-old will remain behind bars until his matter returns to Gosford Local Court on June 20.
He also faces 11 unrelated domestic violence charges, including using a mobile phone in a harassing or menacing manner and 10 counts of breaching an apprehended violence order.
The domestic violence charges – four of which were allegedly committed on the same day – will return to court in May.
His lawyer Bashaar Elkheir told reporters that the investigation is still in the very early stages.
He had not been able to determine the details of the allegations against his client, including how he allegedly came into contact with Ms Griffin.
A fundraising page set up to help Ms Griffin’s family with funeral costs said the community was heartbroken by the loss of “the light in many of our lives”.
“There is no doubt she bought (sic) endless laughter and joy to everyone,” the fundraiser organiser said.
“She was the kindest soul to walk this earth and will always be in our hearts.”
The 19-year-old was remembered as a valuable member of the premiership Terrigal Wamberal Sharks rugby league team with a “larger-than-life personality” and a “happy-go-lucky nature”.
She also played for the Gosford water polo club, which held a minute of silence for the woman who “always brought a smile to those around her”.
According to the Australian Femicide Watch, Ms Griffin is among 23 women killed by violence so far in 2025.
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AAP
