Thousands attend vigil on Terrigal Beach for allegedly murdered teenager Audrey Griffin

Wearing white, thousands of Central Coast residents descended upon Terrigal Beach to remember beloved local teenager Audrey Griffin and demand action on violence against women.

Wearing white, thousands of Central Coast residents descended upon Terrigal Beach on Thursday evening to remember beloved local teenager Audrey Griffin and demand action on violence against women.

The 19-year-old’s body was discovered in Erina Creek on March 24 following what police described as a “physical altercation” with 53-year-old Adrian Torrens, who was found dead in his jail cell on Thursday afternoon after being charged with her murder earlier this week.

Ms Griffin’s mother, Kathleen Kirby, was overwhelmed with emotion as she addressed the crowd before news of Torrens’ death broke.

“The love and support has been overwhelming,” Ms Kirby said. “Audrey brought laughter and warmth to every room. May your presence be today a powerful reminder we are not alone.

“Standing here today, we gather to stand for change. We stand in love and unity.”

A young girl places a candle at the Audrey Griffin memorial on Terrigal Beach. Picture: Damian Shaw/NewsWire

Hundreds of people, dressed in white, turned out to pay tribute to the popular Central Coast teen. Picture: Damian Shaw/NewsWire

Ms Kirby said one of Ms Griffin’s favourite things to do was watch the sunset, as she, along with members of Audrey’s family and friends, laid wreaths at the vigil.

Those in attendance then waited silently until the sunset.

Mourners laid candles and flowers in remembrance of Audrey. Picture: Damian Shaw/NewsWire

“Let this moment be ours to honour Audrey, hold each other close, and stand for change,” Ms Kirby said.

“We will support change. Change does not happen alone. It takes all of us. Support each other as a community.

“Audrey and every person deserves to feel safe. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Ms Griffin’s cousin, Jacqui Grunten, said the teenager had an infectious personality.

“She was just a bubbly ball of fun and love, and I think everyone here will definitely miss her,” Ms Grunten said.

“Today was hard but seeing everyone here really made a difference.

Audrey Griffins memorial on Terrigal Beach. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Distraught members of the crowd comfort each other. Picture: Damian Shaw/NewsWire

Jacqui Grunten remembered her cousin Audrey Griffin as ‘a bubbly ball of fun and love’. Picture: Damian Shaw/NewsWire

“It also showed that all these people here believe that a woman should be able to walk home after a night out and reach our destination without being harmed.

“I hope our government knows that there are so many women that lose their lives to violence by men every year.

“I hate that she’s a statistic, but I hope that with this happening, there may be some change, especially with everyone here.

“It just shows that we all agree this is enough.

“I’m hoping that she will live on in our hearts. She will live in our memories.

“I know that she touched a lot of people just by all the clubs she was in, and there are definitely people here that don’t know Audrey but have come just to support her.

“She was just so amazing, who she was was her legacy, she didn’t need to do anything else to be heard, she was just amazing, she did everything she could, she never stopped.”

Eleanor Owrid, a university friend of Ms Griffin’s, said the teenager’s death had made her realise “don’t wait to reach out to people”.

“Audrey was always down to do anything” she said.

“She was so happy all the time and she was always up for whatever adventure.

“You could give her any crazy idea and she would totally be down to go and do it with you and she was incredibly supportive.”

Originally published as Thousands attend vigil on Terrigal Beach for allegedly murdered teenager Audrey Griffin