Audrey Griffin did everything right. It still wasn't enough.

Audrey Griffin did everything right.

After a night out with friends on NSW's Central Coast on March 23, 19-year-old Audrey headed home, intending to go to her dad's house.

She attempted to book an Uber, unsuccessfully, so she tried to hail a taxi.

She stayed in contact with her friends.

She looked out for herself.

She did everything women are told to do to keep us safe.

But it still wasn't enough.

It never is.

Thirty-six hours later, police found Audrey's body partially submerged in Erina Creek. She had allegedly been murdered by a man she did not know.

Audrey was a bright athlete with her whole life ahead of her. Image: GoFundMe.

Audrey was a student and talented triathlete. She was just weeks away from starting her career in the navy. She had her whole life ahead of her.

For weeks, police maintained her death wasn't suspicious.

On April 17, they made an appeal for more information, doubling down that Audrey had likely died by misadventure.

Until now.

A breakthrough on Friday led police to arrest 53-year-old Adrian Noel Torrens. On Monday, he was charged with her murder.

Speaking on Tuesday, Superintendent Darryl Jobson admitted investigators were uneasy about calling Audrey's death an accident, prior to the new evidence sparking murder charges.

He said a post-mortem examination of Audrey's body didn't initially suggest suspicious circumstances, but "the seriousness of the matter" prompted police to keep digging.

"For a 19-year-old woman to meet her death in a creek, it was very unsettling for us as investigators," he said.

"These are the types of cases where police want answers, because families want answers."

Piecing together the timeline.

Over four weeks, police had received several leads. Then, on Friday, the case broke open.

Jobson said police received "significant information which transferred this investigation to a homicide investigation."

Now, the timeline of events is coming together.

We know Audrey was out with friends on the night of March 22. She was last seen around 2am on March 23 at The Gosford Hotel.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Audrey's mother Kathleen Kirby said Audrey told her friends she was walking home and was going to call a taxi after failing to get an Uber.

"I don't think she ever got in the Uber," Kathleen told the publication.

"She'd obviously gone along the waterfront to try and get a cab because there were none, obviously, where she was, and she'd taken the long way home along the water, obviously to try and hail down a cab, or she would have taken a shortcut through the heart of Gosford."

Audrey's alleged murder has shocked the community. Image: GoFundMe.

According to The Daily Telegraph, police documents state Audrey's last known movements were near Punt Bridge in Erina. She had sent two Snapchat videos to a friend, who became concerned when Audrey didn't make it home or respond to messages.

That friend went to her last known location — and found Audrey's handbag.

Police were called and Audrey's body was discovered at about 3:45pm on March 24.

With the new autopsy findings, police now allege that during that time, Audrey was killed during a "physical altercation" with Torrens.

According to The Daily Telegraph, police will allege Audrey tried to fight Torrens off after he followed her and scratched him in the process, resulting in his DNA ending up under her fingernails.

They will further allege Torrens struck Audrey and knocked her unconscious, causing her to drown, or held her underwater.

The 53-year-old's matter was briefly mentioned in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday.

He did not face court or ask to be released on bail, which was formally refused. He will remain behind bars until his matter returns to Gosford Local Court on June 20.

Torrens also faces 11 unrelated domestic violence charges, including using a mobile phone in a harassing or menacing manner and 10 counts of breaching an apprehended violence order. The domestic violence charges, four of which were allegedly committed on the same day, will return to court in May.

His lawyer Bashaar Elkheir told reporters that the investigation is still in the very early stages. He had not been able to determine the details of the allegations against his client, including how he allegedly came into contact with Audrey.

Audrey recently completed the Ironman 70.3 New Zealand. Image: Facebook.

A life cut short.

Audrey was the 22nd Australian woman killed this year, according to Sherele Moody's Australian Femicide Watch.

Her life was only just beginning.

She had plans to move to Melbourne this year to join the navy and play football.

Now, that bright future has been taken from her.

Audrey was a talented athlete, having only recently completed the Ironman 70.3 New Zealand just weeks before her death — an incredible feat comprising a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run.

She was a much-loved figure in the Central Coast community, as a member of Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club and the Terrigal Sharks Rugby League Club, and a former vice-captain of the Central Coast Sports College.

The college paid tribute to the 19-year-old as "remarkable young woman whose vibrant spirit and laughter will never be forgotten.

"She embraced life with joy, kindness, and boundless enthusiasm, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and inspiration," it continued.

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Audrey also represented the Gosford Water Polo team, with her former teammates paying tribute to her during its ladies division three the grand final last month.

"Audrey participated in a wide variety of sports and always bought a smile to those around her," the team said. "This tragedy has affected the many people who were fortunate enough to know Audrey."

In a funeral note, loved ones remembered Audrey as a "radiant soul — full of light, kindness and laughter".

"She touched the hearts of all who knew her, and her absence leaves an unfillable space in our lives," it read.

A GoFundMe set up described her as "the light in many of our lives".

"There is no doubt she bought endless laughter and joy to everyone," it said. "She was the kindest soul to walk this earth and will always be in our hearts."

To support Audrey's family, visit the fundraiser here.

We will keep this post updated as more information comes to light.

-with AAP

Feature image: Facebook.