Update on missing mum Sam Murphy
Written by admin on September 25, 2024
Renewed searches for Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy will push into a second day on Wednesday.
Ms Murphy, 51, has been missing since February 4, and a 23-year-old charged with her murder fronted court for the second time last month.
At the court hearing his defence lawyer said the amount of material produced by police was “unprecedented”. But the body of the mother-of-three has not been found.
Members of the public have turned out at various police-led searches for Ms Murphy, but this week police are saying civilians should steer clear.
Officers launched a renewed search on Tuesday, and are expected back in the general Ballarat area on Wednesday.
The search on Tuesday centred on the Grenville area, south of Ballarat. Grenville is close to Buninyong, where Ms Murphy’s phone was found beside a dam in May.
“Police undertook a targeted search in the Ballarat area today as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Samantha Murphy,” a police spokeswoman told NewsWire on Tuesday.
“Since February, police have regularly undertaken a range of inquiries and small-scale searches as part of the current investigation.
“Samantha’s family has also been advised of the search.
“We are not in a position to supply further specific details of today’s operational activity at this time.”
“The search will resume tomorrow.
“Police ask that members of the public do not attend the search at this time.”
Ms Murphy disappeared while out for a run on February 4.
Woowookarung Regional Park, where Ms Murphy often went running, and Enfield State Park have also been extensively searched.
Police arrested 23-year-old Patrick Stephenson on March 6 and charged him with her alleged murder.
Volunteers involved in Ms Murphy’s search held a public vigil for her at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Garden at 7pm in March.
Ms Murphy’s husband Mick also spoke at an anti-violence against women rally in Ballarat in April.
A chant of “bring Sam home” echoed loud from the crowd.
