Mother’s heartbreaking message after daughter’s murder following night out – as tragic twist emerges

More than 1,000 people gathered on a NSW beach to honour Audrey Griffin, who police believe was murdered after a night out with friends, just hours after her alleged killer was found dead in his jail cell.

The 19-year-old’s mother, Kathleen Kirby, shared a heartbreaking post hours before the crowd, dressed in white, flocked to Terrigal Beach on the Central Coast at dusk on Thursday.

‘Let’s focus today on unity, remembrance, and the love we all share for Audrey,’ Ms Kirby said.

‘It’s about standing together, remembering her light, and showing — through our presence — that we want change, awareness, and a safer future for everyone,’ she added. 

Ms Kirby also asked that people do not discuss details of the case with media and that they ‘leave that part’ to herself and her partner Trevor.

‘Anything said publicly could jeopardise the case,’ she said. 

The case against Ms Griffin’s accused murderer, Adrian Noel Torrens, will not proceed, however, after he was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre in Sydney on Thursday afternoon.

Corrective Services NSW has launched an investigation into the 53-year-old’s death.

Torrens was charged on Monday with the murder of Ms Griffin after her body was found partially submerged in Erina Creek on the NSW Central Coast in March.

Police said it was not initially a murder case, however, Torrens was charged after detectives received new information following a four-week investigation.

It was alleged the pair were not known to each other but were involved in an altercation in the early hours of March 23. 

Ms Griffin had spent the previous night catching up with friends at a Gosford pub.

She was preparing to begin a 10-week officer training course in April with the Royal Australian Navy and visited the Central Coast – where she grew up – to see her grandparents and invite her friends to a farewell party in Sydney the next weekend.

She had left the Gosford Hotel about 2am and walked towards her father’s house after unsuccessfully trying to get an Uber.

During the walk, police believe she encountered Torrens and the pair fought. 

A fortnight before her death, the popular and sporty teenager had travelled to New Zealand to compete in the gruelling ANZCO half-ironman event, which she completed in just over six-and-a-half hours.

She has been remembered as a ‘determined athlete, talented student and well-liked teenager’.

‘She was the kindest soul to walk this earth and will always be in our hearts,’ a GoFundMe for her family said.

Ms Griffin was also a much-loved member of the Terrigal Sharks rugby league club along with the local water polo team and surf life saving clubs.

A Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman said the death in custody had been reported to the state coroner and would be subject to a public inquest.

‘Corrective Services NSW and NSW Police investigate all deaths in custody regardless of the circumstances,’ she said in a statement. 

A spokesman for NSW Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong also acknowledged ‘the family and loved ones of Audrey Griffin’ and noted that ‘this case will now not be able to be prosecuted through the courts’.

Torrens also faced 11 unrelated charges of domestic violence, including using a mobile phone in a harassing or menacing manner and 10 counts of breaching an apprehended violence order. 

The domestic violence charges were set to return to court in May.

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