LIGHT UP - STAND with AUDREY

LIGHT UP is organising a community event at the Polytec Stadium in Gosford (NSW) on Saturday 4 October 2025.

All proceeds from LIGHT UP will fund the STAND with Audrey charity -- driving change so public safety is a shared priority and no family's grief is the cost of system failures. Your sponsorship or donation will help turn heartbreak into action.

DONATE or SPONSOR

• Marquee Sponsor - $1k
• Community Sponsor - $5k
• Corporate Suite - $5k
• Presenting Partner - $50k

Partner with your community & be part of real change.

About the Event

Featuring birds of tokyo whose band have grown from independent roots to become one of Australia’s most popular contemporary rock bands.

Since their 2008 breakthrough Universes, all five of the group’s albums have reached the ARIA top 3 including two #1 hits: March Fires (2013) and Human Design (2021). Classic songs like “Good Lord”, “Plans”, “Lanterns”, “Two Of Us”, “Brace” and “Unbreakable” have all been top 10 airplay hits and more than seventy of their tracks have featured on Triple J, making them one of the National Youth Broadcaster’s three most played artists of this millennium.  The band has also won the APRA Award for “Most Performed Rock/Alternative Work” on a record setting six separate occasions.

What happened to Audrey Griffin? The Tragic Murder of Audrey Griffin: A Call to Action Against Violence in Australia

In the quiet coastal town of Erina on New South Wales' Central Coast, the life of 19-year-old Audrey Griffin was cut short in a senseless act of violence that has ignited national outrage. Audrey, a promising university student, talented athlete, and soon-to-be Navy recruit, became the 22nd woman allegedly killed by gender-based violence in Australia in 2025. Her death, initially dismissed as a tragic accident, exposed deep flaws in the police investigation and the broader justice system, sparking a community-driven movement for reform. As Australia grapples with an epidemic of violence against women—one woman murdered every four days—this case has become a rallying cry for change, pushing for stricter laws on bail and domestic violence offenders.

The Facts: A Night Out Turns Deadly

Audrey Griffin was two weeks away from starting her dream career in the Australian Navy when she vanished on March 23, 2025. The vibrant teenager, described by her family as "the kindest soul to walk this earth" who brought "endless laughter and joy," had been enjoying a night out with friends at Hotel Gosford. Around 3 a.m., she was last seen on The Entrance Road in Erina, attempting to hail an Uber or taxi to her father's house. When she didn't arrive home, her worried mother, Kathleen Kirby, checked her location via Snapchat—only to find it pinpointed near Erina Creek.

The next day, March 24, Audrey's best friend discovered her body partially submerged in the shallow waters of the creek, just off a busy road. She had no defensive injuries, but evidence later emerged of a physical altercation. A resident reported hearing screams that night, and Snapchat videos provided clues. CCTV footage showed a man police wanted to question, leading to a dramatic turn nearly four weeks later.

On April 21, 53-year-old Adrian Noel Torrens, a stranger to Audrey, was arrested in inner-city Sydney and charged with her murder, plus 11 unrelated domestic violence offenses, including harassment and breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO). Police alleged Torrens, who had been on a drug binge and sleepless for days, attacked Audrey in a random act of violence. DNA under her fingernail linked him to the scene. Just days after his arrest, on April 24, Torrens was found unresponsive in his cell at Silverwater Correctional Complex and pronounced dead—his death ruled non-suspicious, likely suicide. This denied Audrey's family a trial and full closure, leaving lingering questions about the motive and exact circumstances.

Torrens' ex-wife, Michelle, provided chilling insights into that fateful night. She received 12 threatening voicemails from him, vowing to kill her, making her fear for her life. She described him as unpredictable and aggressive, revealing a history of domestic violence that had left her "living in fear" for a year.

Police Shortcomings: A Month-Long Delay and Systemic Failures

The handling of Audrey's case drew sharp criticism for its initial missteps. Despite family suspicions—Audrey was a strong swimmer unlikely to drown accidentally—police quickly ruled her death non-suspicious based on forensic and postmortem exams, referring it to the coroner as a tragic mishap. Superintendent Darryl Jobson later admitted the case "always caused concern," but the delay in reclassifying it as homicide fueled public distrust. Rumors swirled in the community, with calls for transparency to ease fears, especially among women and girls feeling unsafe.

Broader systemic issues compounded the outrage. Torrens was under a community corrections order for breaching an AVO at the time of the murder, despite a long criminal history of violence. He had been spared jail just two months earlier for similar breaches, highlighting "red flags" ignored by the justice system. Michelle lamented, "They should have put him in jail after breaching his second AVO," pointing to a failure in risk assessment that potentially allowed the tragedy. Critics argue this reflects a pattern where repeat domestic violence offenders are not adequately supervised or incarcerated, contributing to Australia's violence crisis. The case has raised questions about police training on gender-based violence and the prioritization of such investigations, with some seeing it as emblematic of a system that continues to fail women.

The Community Movement: From Grief to Advocacy

Audrey's murder has galvanized the Central Coast community and beyond, transforming personal heartbreak into a powerful movement against gendered violence. Hours before Torrens' death, over 1,000 people gathered for a candlelit vigil at Terrigal Beach, wearing white and scattering frangipanis in her honour. Many attendees didn't know Audrey personally but came to demand action, reflecting a collective anguish over women's safety.

VIDEO: Man charged with Audrey Griffin's murder found dead in prison cell | ABC NEWS

Subsequent protests amplified the call. Hundreds marched at Gosford Waterfront Park in a rally organized by the not-for-profit What Were You Wearing Australia, led by young locals like events coordinator Brianna Harvey. The group, focused on challenging victim-blaming, emphasized acknowledgment as the first step to legislative change. Kathleen Kirby launched an online fundraiser that raised $30,000 for funeral costs and family support, underscoring community solidarity.

Nationally, Audrey's story has fueled broader advocacy. Groups like Dangerous Females track femicides, keeping names like Audrey's in the spotlight to pressure politicians. Family friends, including Lana Ratapu and Simone Shannon, vowed to campaign for safer streets, ensuring women can walk home without fear. Mothers of other slain women, such as Mackenzie Anderson and Emerald Wardle, joined forces, decrying "94,000 monsters on the loose" due to lax justice. This movement ties into Australia's ongoing protests, with Audrey's case highlighting the need to prevent future heartbreaks through education, prevention, and systemic overhaul.

The Push for Law Reform: Ending the Presumption of Bail

At the heart of the advocacy is a demand for "Audrey's Law"-style reforms, though not formally named as such, focusing on tightening bail laws for domestic violence offenders. Criminologist Vincent Hurley, on ABC's Q&A, argued that men with DV histories should lose the presumption of bail, calling the current system "outdated." This would mean repeat offenders like Torrens—spared jail despite breaches—face mandatory custody to mitigate risks.

Kathleen Kirby has urged political leaders to enact changes, tying Audrey's death to the national crisis. In response, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton pledged a $90 million, 10-year national plan to end violence against women and children, building on the Albanese government's $4.7 billion investment. Advocates, including the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee, call for DV to be a core election issue, with funding for prevention programs and stricter AVO enforcement. As of August 2025, these proposals remain in discussion, but the momentum from Audrey's case—amplified by vigils, marches, and media—aims to ensure no more families endure such loss.

Audrey Griffin's murder is more than a statistic; it's a stark reminder of systemic failures and the urgent need for reform. Her legacy, through community resilience, may yet save lives.