Experienced bush tracker to join in search for Samantha Murphy
An experienced bush tracker is joining the search for Samantha Murphy, who went missing two weeks ago after she was last seen going out for a morning run.
Jake Cassar - who has experience in high-profile missing persons cases including that of missing child, William Tyrrell - is on his way to Ballarat to help with the ongoing search.
Cassar’s involvement was announced in a Facebook post set up by locals to help find Murphy.
Cristie Lea, who helped organised Cassar’s visit to Victoria, said that the experienced bushman will be arriving in Melbourne on Monday and will return on Friday, with the community pitching in to cover the cost of his flights.
“I’m hoping to get a lot done while I’m here,” Cassar told 7News.
Cassar's arrival is ahead of the planned community-led ground search for Murphy on Saturday, with him set to teach tracking skills to volunteers and help them “establish a solid game plan” before he leaves.
“I’ll cover as much ground as physically possible while I’m out here, especially in the more remote places.
“I plan on training up some locals in the fundamentals of tracking, so when I leave I can continue to liaise with those on the ground.”
He added that he respected the work done so far by police and SES volunteers and hoped that he could find something that could further the investigation.
“People are entitled to their opinions as to whether or not Samantha is out in the bush,” he said.
“On the chance that she is, I want to ensure that absolutely everything is done to find her.”
Cassar’s involvement had been “highly anticipated, warmly welcomed and very much appreciated” by locals who are helping search for Murphy.
“Jake has significant bush expertise, tracking skills and previous experience in searching for missing people,” Lea said.
“Momentum is strong and we pray that Jake’s expertise will energise the already motivated community and grow the already overwhelming public support for this Saturday’s major Ground Search event.
“Together we will continue to encourage others to join local search activities that will bring Samantha home.”
Images: Facebook