The accused killer of a teen “with the kindest soul” has faced court weeks after her body was found in a creek.
The body of 19-year-old Audrey Griffin was discovered partially submerged in Erina Creek on the New South Wales Central Coast on the afternoon of 24 March.
Police allege she was killed by 53-year-old Adrian Noel Torrens following a physical altercation after 3am on 23 March.
Griffin’s death was not initially treated as suspicious but further inquiries led to Torrens’ arrest for murder.
He spent the night in custody on remand and did not ask to be released when his matter was briefly mentioned in Sydney’s Downing Centre local court on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old was due to remain behind bars until his matter returns to Gosford Local Court on 20 June.
His lawyer Bashir El Kheir told reports that the investigation is still in the very early stages and he was still trying to determine the allegations against his client.
A fundraising page set up to help Griffin’s family with funeral costs said the community was heartbroken by the loss of the beautiful teen, who was “the light in many lives”.
“There is no doubt she bought endless laughter and joy to everyone,” the fundraiser said.
“She was the kindest soul to walk this earth and will always be in our hearts.”
The 19-year-old was remembered as a valuable member of the premiership Terrigal Wamberal Sharks rugby league team with a “larger-than-life personality” and a “happy go lucky nature”.
She also played for the Gosford water polo club, which held a minute of silence for the woman who “always brought a smile to those around her”.
