Police have begun a renewed search for missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy, following new intelligence that has redirected investigators to Enfield State Park, roughly 30 kilometres south of Ballarat.
Specialist police will carry out the new search.
The mother of three vanished after leaving her Ballarat home around 7am on February 4, 2024, to go for a run in the Canadian State Forest
On March 7, 2024, 23-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson, was charged with the 51-year-old’s murder.
He has pleaded not guilty.
Since her disappearance, police have conducted several searches of the bushland within Enfield State Park.
The area is scattered with abandoned mineshafts and lies about five kilometres from the dam where Murphy’s mobile phone was found in May.
Police have urged the public to steer clear of the search area as they scour the park for answers.
“Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad are undertaking a targeted search in the Ballarat area today as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Samantha Murphy,” Victoria Police told news.com.au
“Since February 2024, police have regularly undertaken a range of enquiries and small-scale searches as part of the current investigation.
“We are not in a position to supply further specific details of today’s operational activity at this time.
“Police ask that members of the public do not attend the search at this time. As the matter is currently before the court, we are not in a position to comment further about the investigation.”
Key moments of the case
On Sunday, February 4, 2024, Ms Murphy leaves her home on Eureka St in Ballarat East about 7am.
Her family raise concerns for her welfare when she fails to return for a scheduled brunch.
Over the coming days and weeks, the desperation and heartache around her disappearance escalates.
February 5 – First public statement
Victoria Police Acting Inspector Lisa MacDougall issues a public appeal.
“Obviously, yesterday was a hot day … there (is) obviously increased risk there because of the heat,” she said.
“It raises the urgency of the search for us and obviously we account for the fact that that will have an impact on someone’s health.”
Police and the SES search the state forest area behind the Buninyong Golf Club.
Act Insp MacDougall said Ms Murphy usually went for a run every day and was very familiar with the Canadian State Forest and surrounding areas.
“The area of search isn’t completely remote, we are on the outskirts of Ballarat, and it’s not that far from urban areas as well,” Act Insp MacDougall said.
February 7 – The Murphy family plea for help
Husband Michael Murphy appears before the media with his family and pleads for public help.
Ms Murphy’s daughter Jess delivered an impassioned plea for her mum to “come home soon”.
“Mum’s a really strong woman and she’s far too determined to give up this fight,” she said through tears outside the Ballarat West Police Station.
“I know she’s out there somewhere, so if you could please continue to search for her and give us something to work with we’d really appreciate it.
“Mum we love you so much and we miss you … please come home soon.”
Mr Murphy also spoke and implored anyone with information about his wife to come forward to the police.
“People just don’t vanish into thin air. Someone’s got to know something,” he said.
“Whether it be any little thing that you might think is relevant, just call the police and let them know.
“It’ll give us a bit of peace of mind, some hope.”
February 10 – Search is scaled back
In a statement released on Saturday morning, police confirmed the “active search” for Ms Murphy would be “scaled back” over the weekend.
“An extensive six-day search has been conducted involving local police, along with personnel from the Search and Rescue Squad, Mounted Branch and Dog Squad, plus significant assistance from members of the SES and CFA,” the police said.
“Police continue to be in regular contact with Samantha’s family regarding the developments of the search and the status of the investigation.
“The investigative stage of the investigation continues and as any new information comes to hand identifying areas of interest, the search will be scaled up.”
But in touching scenes on Saturday, volunteers continued to hit the trails in Woowookarung Regional Park — where Ms Murphy often went running.
Some of those searching were local to the area, while others given up their weekend and travelled from Melbourne hoping to help the search effort.
February 14 –‘Suspicious’
Victorian Police chief commissioner Shane Patton says the disappearance is being treated as suspicious.
March 6, 7 and 8 – Arrest
Victorian Police arrest Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, at a Scotsburn home on March 6 and he remains in police custody overnight.
The next day at 9.30am, the police announce the arrest, and then announce in the afternoon they have charged Mr Stephenson with murder.
Mr Stephenson appears at Ballarat Magistrates Court on March 7, but his identity is suppressed.
On March 8, an order preventing the media from naming him is lifted.
May 29 – The iPhone
The police launch a targeted search at Buninyong.
They find Ms Murphy’s iPhone in mud near a dam.
