Man accused of murdering teenager Audrey Griffin faces court

Police did not initially believe Audrey’s death was suspicious but now allege the 53-year-old man had a ‘physical altercation with the victim’ before he murdered her.

Audrey Griffin, 19. Picture: LinkedIn

A man has faced court accused of murdering teenager Audrey Griffin on the Central Coast last month.

Adrian Noel Torrens, 53, was charged with murder of the 19 year-old a month after the university student’s body was located in a creek near The Entrance Rd in Erina.

Police did not initially believe Audrey’s death was suspicious. However, after further inquiries, NSW Police arrested Torrens in Surry Hills on Monday and will allege he had a “physical altercation” with Audrey.

Adrian Torrens. Picture: Facebook.

Audrey left friends at the Hotel Gosford in the early hours of March 23 and walked down the Entrance Road.

When she wasn’t heard from for some time, she was reported missing to police, who were told she was last seen on that road about 3am.

About 3.45pm, her body was located by police in a creek near where she was last seen.

Torrens appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday and was formally refused bail. He was also charged with 11 other unrelated domestic violence matters.

Audrey Griffin.

Outside court, Torrens’ lawyer Bashir Elkheir, said his client had not yet advised what plea he would enter.

Audrey was a member of the Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club and the Terrigal Wamberal Sharks rugby league club.

The club wrote on social media: “With a larger-than-life personality, and happy-go-lucky nature, Audrey would hit with sting then check that they were OK, and then skip to each of the scrums. Audrey will be sorely missed by the Sharks family, may she rest in peace.”

Earlier this month, a GoFundMe, raised over $30,000 for Audrey’s family.

“We are heartbroken by the unexpected loss of our beautiful Audrey. Audrey touched everyone, not just in her community but all over the country. She was the light in many of our lives. There is no doubt she bought endless laughter and joy to everyone. She was the kindest soul to walk this earth and will always be in our hearts,” co-organised by her mother Kathleen Kirby read.

Torrens’ lawyer Bashaar Elkheir from Cordoba Legal leaves court. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

We kindly ask for your donation to help cover her unexpected funeral costs, so we can give her the best and most deserving celebration of life possible! We would also like to support her family who are commuting to and from Sydney as they navigate the devastating loss of their daughter, something no parent should ever have to endure.”