Distressing new details surrounding Audrey Griffin's murder

After Adrian Torrens, the man accused of murdering 19-year-old Audrey Griffin, took his own life inside Silverwater Prison just days after being charged with her death, new details have been revealed around the lead-up to Griffin's death.

According to the Daily Telegraph, authorities confirmed that Torrens, 53, borrowed a razor blade from his cellmate last Thursday under the pretence of needing to shave ahead of a court appearance. Torrens then used the blade to end his life within the shared cell.

No foul play is suspected on the part of prison staff or inmates, and an official report is being prepared for the Coroner.

Just days earlier, Torrens had been charged with Griffin’s murder, nearly a month after her body was discovered in a creek bed near The Entrance Road at Erina. At first, Griffin’s death was believed to be a tragic accident despite multiple autopsies. This changed when detectives uncovered critical CCTV footage from outside the Elanora Hotel in East Gosford, recorded in the early hours of March 23 – which showed Griffin walking past the hotel shortly after 2am, with Torrens following closely behind. Griffin had told friends she intended to take an Uber to Terrigal, but she never made it.

Investigators later learned Torrens had shown signs of distress during a routine visit to a Community Corrections Office two weeks after Griffin’s death, and that he appeared emotionally troubled, citing a recent relationship breakdown and concerns over his mother's health. At the time, he was serving an 18-month community corrections order for previous domestic violence offences. 

Following the public release of the CCTV footage, several of Torrens’ associates came forward, with one witness telling police Torrens had confessed to killing Griffin and described leaving her body in the mangroves.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb expressed full confidence in the officers handling the complex case, saying that the CCTV footage was released the same day investigators identified its significance.

A final determination on the circumstances surrounding Torrens' death will be made at a future coronial inquest.

Images: Facebook / LinkedIn