New update in search for Samantha Murphy's body
A fresh search for Samantha Murphy's body has begun, with police targeting their search in areas “highlighted by intelligence” from several sources.
The 51-year-old Ballarat mum, was allegedly murdered by 22-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson, after she went missing while on a morning run near her home on February 4.
Officers will begin their renewed search for the mum's remains on select parts of the Buninyong Bushland Reserve on Wednesday.
The search will be conducted by specialist units including the Missing Persons Squad, Search and Rescue Squad, Mounted Branch, Dog Squad, Public Order Response Team and motorcyclists from Road Policing Command as well as local police.
“Since Samantha’s disappearance, extensive searches have been conducted in the Ballarat area and today we will focus on an area of bushland in Buninyong,” Detective Superintendent Mark Hatt said.
Victoria Police said that the search would “focus on trying to locate Samantha’s body” and members of the public have been urged to not join the search efforts.
“We will have a range of specialist resources involved, however as we are searching for Samantha’s body, we ask that members of the public do not try and join today’s search," the detective added.
“Hopefully today’s search will benefit the investigation or provide further avenues of enquiry for police. We will also look at further searches in the Ballarat area as the investigation progresses.”
He added that police are doing everything they can to find her body.
“While someone has been charged in relation to Samantha’s disappearance, we remain committed to doing everything we can to locate her and return her to her family,” Detective Superintendent Hatt said.
Patrick Orren Stephenson was charged with Murphy's murder on March 6 and was refused bail at the Ballarat Magistrate’s Court.
Police allege that the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson killed Murphy in a “deliberate attack”.
His identity was initially suppressed by the court out of fears for his safety, but the order was challenged by the media, and his identity was revealed days later.
He is due to face court on August 8.
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