"People need answers": Police issue statement on anniversary of Samantha Murphy's disappearance

Friends and family of Samantha Murphy have gathered to mark the one year anniversary of her disappearance. 

The 51-year old mother from Ballarat was last seen on February 4th 2024 when she left her home at 7am to go for a run. 

When she failed to return home for an event, an investigation into her disappearance was launched.

One month after her disappearance, a now 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with one count of murder.

Ballarat man Patrick Orren Stephenson has pleaded not guilty to murder over the disappearance of Murphy, electing to fast-track his trial.

"I think people need answers," Councillor Samantha McIntosh told 9News. "The family need answers. Sam's friends need answers."

On Monday, detectives reaffirmed their vow to find Murphy's body following a year of exhaustive searches.

Police said the investigation into the location of Murphy's body is still ongoing, with Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan saying the search this year will now widen to the Ballarat area, including new areas tipped off from sources.

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"Since Samantha's disappearance, police have worked tirelessly to locate her. While nothing can erase their grief and loss, being able to return Samantha to her family has always been incredibly important to us," Detective Dunstan said.

"We also know that Samantha's death has had an enormous impact on the Ballarat community, as well as the wider Victorian community."

"I want to reaffirm to the community that the Missing Persons Squad remains committed to doing everything we can to locate Samantha – while a year has passed, we still believe we can locate her."

"We also ask people who may be using these areas, particularly in the Enfield State Forest, to be aware of their surroundings and if they believe they may have come across Samantha's remains to contact police immediately," he added.

"There is nothing we want more than to return Samantha to her family and we remain committed to doing this."

Image credits: Nine