Government department’s response to death of man who murdered NSW teen sparks outrage

A NSW government department has been slammed over its response to the death of a man, who confessed to killing 19-year-old Audrey Griffin.

A NSW government department has sparked outrage after expressing sympathy to those affected by the death of an alleged murder, who confessed to killing teenager Audrey Griffin.

Adrian Torrens, 53, reportedly died in custody three days after he was arrested and charged for the murder of the 19-year-old.

Torrens was found unresponsive in a cell at Silverwater Correctional Complex in Western Sydney at about 4.50pm on Thursday after taking his own life, The Daily Telegraph reported. He was unable to be revived by Corrective Services staff and paramedics.
In a statement following news of Torrens’ suicide, a spokeswoman for Corrective Services NSW said the 53-year-old’s death will be reported to the NSW coroner and will be subject to a public inquest.

“Corrective Services NSW and NSW Police investigate all deaths in custody regardless of the circumstances,,” the statement read.

“Corrective Services NSW extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Audrey Griffin at this distressing time.”

Sparking public outcry, the department added that it “sends condolences to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by Mr Torrens’ death”.

The response has since been slammed online.

“Your (sic) gotta be joking,” one person wrote on social media.

“This is blowing my mind,” said another.

However, not everyone agreed, with some defending the department’s approach.

“The family still deserves compassion, as they haven’t committed any crime. I think that this is the right decision and approach,” one person wrote.

Adrian Torrens, 53, was charged with the murder of Central Coast teenager Audrey Griffin. Picture: Facebook.

Torrens’ suicide enabled detail around the case that was previously not allowed to be reported to come to light, including what appeared to be Torrens confessing to the murder in a phone call to an associate.

“Why did I do it? I don’t know, I do not … I just f---ing clicked and I have no reason for my actions,” Torrens said, per The Daily Telegraph. “I just did it, man. I was so f---ed up, you know? I was awake for four or five f---ing days, and I just did it.”

Torrens was found just hours before a vigil was held for 19-year-old Griffin. in Terrigal.

The local NSW Central Coast community has been rocked by the tragic case since the 19-year-old’s body was found partially submerged in the Erina Creek near The Entrance Rd, Erina, on The Central Coast at about 3.45pm on Monday, March 24.

Griffin had been reported missing only a few hours before her body was found with her friends last seeing the 19-year-old at about 2am on a night out at the Gosford Hotel.

Initial inquiries led police to believe the death wasn’t suspicious.

But after the phone call to an associate emerged – and Torrens was also identified in CCTV vision released by police by an ex-partner – he was arrested on Monday and charged with murder.

Troubling details about the alleged attack were revealed by The Daily Telegraph earlier this week, including:

— Police believe Griffin did not know Torrens before her death.

— Police believed Griffin tried to fight Torrens off after he followed her as she was walking home from a night out with friends.

— Police believed Griffin scratched Torrens during the alleged incident, collecting some of his DNA under her fingernails.

— Police believe Torrens struck the left side of Griffin’s face and knocked her unconscious, causing her to drown, or held her underwater.

— A witness living near Erina Creek told investigators she heard a high-pitched scream around 3am the night of Griffin’s death. The witness is reported to have dismissed the noise under the assumption it was a fox.

— Police had evidence Torrens’ phone “pinged” at 2.43am that morning near where Griffin’s body was discovered.

Audrey Griffin’s death was initially treated by police as a drowning. Picture: GoFundMe

A sunset vigil for the 19-year-old drew more than 1000 people on Thursday. Picture: NewsWire

Griffin was a gifted triathlete, taking part in the ANZCO Foods half Ironman competition in New Zealand a few weeks before her death, finishing 23rd in her age group classification.

She was a member of the Terrigal Sharks Rugby League Club and Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club, and was a former vice-captain of Central Coast Sports College.

Her death rocked the local community, who remembered her as a “beautiful girl” who was “treasured by a lot of people”.

“She touched the hearts of so many people and always had a smile,” a friend penned on social media.

“Her laugh was contagious and her goofy self always made us laugh.

“I’m sure many of you have so many beautiful memories, photos and videos of her, I would love to eventually see them all.

“Audrey you are truly loved by so many people.”

June, but police are now investigating the man’s death, that is not being treated as suspicious.

A report into Torrens’ death will be prepared for the coroner.

Originally published as Government department’s response to death of man who murdered NSW teen sparks outrage