Horrifying new evidence has led police to allege that Adrian Torrens murdered Audrey Griffin and left her body in a creek, more than a month after they said her death was not suspicious.
Detectives initially thought Audrey, 19, had died as a result of misadventure while she walked to her dad’s house after a night out at a pub on the NSW Central Coast early on March 24.
A preliminary autopsy indicated the teen, whose body was found half-submerged in Erina Creek, had drowned.
But on Thursday they released a grainy photo of a man they believed might be able to help with their inquiries – though they added he was not thought to have had any involvement with Audrey’s death.
Then they worked through the long weekend, gathering new evidence which led to the arrest of Torrens, 53, on Easter Monday in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Surry Hills. Footage released by NSW Police showed Torrens in white socks, shorts and a T shirt as he was taken into custody.
Police will now allege that Torrens, who did not know Audrey, had happened across her while she was walking home and got in a physical altercation with her, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The 53-year-old’s phone was allegedly pinged near where the teen’s body was discovered in the creek.
His DNA was also allegedly found on one of the 19-year-old’s fingernails.
Police documents also stated Audrey had scratches on her upper arms and a mark on the left side of her face.
A witness who lived near the creek has also alleged that she heard a high pitched scream at about 3am that morning, but she dismissed it as a fox.
Police will allege that was the sound of Audrey trying to fight off Torrens, who either struck the left side of her head and knocked her unconscious, or held her underwater.
Audrey’s death has rocked the Central Coast community, where she was remembered as a ‘beautiful’ and popular young woman.
She was a student at the University of Technology Sydney and a talented athlete with memberships in the Terrigal Sharks Rugby League Club and Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club.
Just weeks before her death, she had competed in the New Zealand half-ironman.
A GoFundMe fundraising page launched to help with her funeral costs raised $30,000.
‘We are heartbroken by the unexpected loss of our beautiful Audrey. Audrey touched everyone, not just in her community but all over the country,’ the page said.
‘She was the light in many of our lives. There is no doubt she bought endless laughter and joy to everyone.’
Torrens has been charged with murder and 11 unrelated domestic violence offences.
His lawyer, Bashaar Elkheir, appeared on his behalf at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday.
He was formally refused bail and remanded in custody to reappear on June 20.
Daily Mail has contacted Mr Elkheir for comment.