Huge development after a teenage girl's body was discovered in a creek (2025)

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A man has been charged with murder weeks after police initially declared the death of a teenage girl as 'not suspicious'.

The partially-submerged body of Audrey Griffin, 19, was found in Erina Creek on the NSW Central Coast on March 24, a day after she was last seen leaving a nearby pub following a night out with friends.

Her death wasn't deemed as suspicious at the time as a preliminary autopsy had initially suggested that Ms Griffin had drowned.

Following further inquiries, police arrested a man, 53, in the inner-Sydney suburb of Surry Hills on Monday.

He was charged with murder and 11 unrelated domestic violencematters.

'Police will allege the man had a physical altercation with the victim,' a police statement read.

The man was refused bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday.

The breakthrough emerged just days after police released an image of a man they wished to speak to in relation to Ms Griffin's death.

Police reiterated at the time that it was not believed the man was involved in her death.

'We are not implicating that this man was somehow involved in the incident, we have no indication of that,' Brisbane Water crime manager Detective Acting Inspector Samantha Richards said.

'We're simply hoping he might have some information to help us piece together what has happened.'

A fortnight before her death, Ms Griffin travelled to New Zealand to compete in the gruelling ANZCO half-ironman event, which she completed in just over six-and-a-half hours to place 194th out of 295 women.

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

Ms Griffin was a much-loved member of the Terrigal Sharks rugby league and local life saving clubs.

After completing her HSC in 2023, Ms Griffin juggled training and a part-time job at Crown Plaza Terrigal along with study commitments at University of Technology Sydney.

Ms Griffin was also a former member for Gosford Water Polo's ladies third division team.

'Audrey touched everyone, not just in her community but all over the country. She was the light in many of our lives,' a family statement on aGoFundMeread.

'There is no doubt she brought endless laughter and joy to everyone.

'She was the kindest soul to walk this earth and will always be in our hearts.'

More than $30,000 was raised to support Ms Griffin's family and to give her 'the best and most deserving celebration of life possible.'

Hundreds of friends and loved ones packed into Greenway Chapel on April 11 to celebrate Ms Griffin's life.

Attendees wore white to honour her bright spirit and the joy she brought to the world.

Sydney