New targeted police search for Samantha Murphy

Police have confirmed they have undertaken another search for the body of Samantha Murphy at Enfield State Park, 30km south of Ballarat.

“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,” police said in a statement.

“Since February 2024, police have regularly undertaken a range of enquiries and small-scale searches as part of the current investigation.

“Police ask that members of the public do not attend the search at this time.”

The search, which began on Wednesday, will resume again on Thursday morning, police said. Detectives previously searched the same park in April last year.

Murphy, a mother of three, went missing on February 4, 2024 after going for a trail run in the Woowookarung Regional Park. She left her home at about 7am, dressed in a maroon singlet and black running tights, as captured by security cameras.

She was reported missing by her family on the same day after she failed to attend a brunch.

Her disappearance sparked major searches by police and members of the local community. Later that month, police revealed they doubted she was alive and had alleged someone else was involved in her disappearance.

In March 2024, Patrick Stephenson, a 23-year-old local with no apparent connection to Murphy, was charged with murder over her disappearance. Investigators allege Stephenson, the son of an ex-AFL player, attacked Murphy at Mount Clear on February 4. He pleaded not guilty to the murder charge in November, and asked to have his trial fast-tracked to the Supreme Court.

In May, police located a phone after searching a dam along Buninyong-Mt Mercer Road, a few kilometres south of where the 51-year-old mother’s phone last pinged.

Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here.