Police launch new search for Samantha Murphy’s body in Ballarat area

Police have started a new search in Ballarat for Samantha Murphy’s body. She was a 51-year-old mother of three who went missing on 4 February. Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad and other police are working together.

This search is seven months after Samantha disappeared. Patrick Stephenson, 22, has been charged with her murder. But her body has not been found yet.

Key Takeaways

• Police have started a new search for the body of missing mother Samantha Murphy in the Ballarat region.
• The search operation involves detectives from the Missing Persons Squad and specialist resources from various police agencies.
• Patrick Stephenson, 22, has been charged with Samantha’s murder, but her body remains undiscovered.
• The search comes seven months after Samantha, 51, went missing from her Ballarat East home on 4 February.
• Samantha’s phone was found near a dam in late May, several months before the latest search.

Search Efforts to Find Missing Mother Intensify

The search for Samantha Murphy, a 51-year-old mother missing for six days, has intensified. Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad are leading the effort. They have brought in specialist resources from Victoria Police, New South Wales Police, and the Australian Federal Police.

Samantha was last seen leaving her home in Ballarat East at 7 am on a Sunday. A team of officers, SES personnel, loved ones, and community members are searching the area. Despite a setback with CCTV footage, the search continues with determination.

Detectives from Missing Persons Squad Spearhead Operation

Homicide detectives from the Missing Persons Squad are leading the investigation. They are working hard to find any clues or leads. Their skills are crucial in solving the case, as they check every detail.

Specialist Resources from Interstate and Federal Agencies Involved

Many police units are helping in the search for Samantha Murphy. This includes the Search and Rescue Squad, the dog squad, and the air wing. Forest Fire Management Australia and Parks Victoria are also helping, ensuring a thorough search.

Samantha’s family is being kept updated on the search. They are asking for anyone with information to help the police. The community’s support is vital in finding Samantha and bringing her home safely.

The police are hopeful of finding Samantha soon. They are determined to find the truth. The investigation is ongoing, and they ask the public to report any information that could help.

Samantha Murphy: Significant Developments in the Investigation

Police found Samantha Murphy’s mobile phone near a dam in Buninyong, south of Ballarat, in late May. She was 51 and had three kids. She was last seen on February 4th, leading to a big search effort.

Her phone was found in good condition, despite being underwater or in mud for almost four months. This discovery could give clues about her last moments.

Before, police searched Buninyong in March but found nothing. Now, finding her phone has brought new hope for solving her disappearance.

“The fact that the phone was still operational is quite surprising,” said Dr. Xanthé Mallett, a forensic criminologist. “This could offer new geolocation data and other valuable information to aid the investigation.”

Samantha’s husband said her credit cards, driver’s licence, and iPhone were found in the dam. This makes the phone’s discovery even more important. Now, detectives are trying to get data from the phone to understand what happened.

There have been big updates in Samantha’s case, like the arrest of a 22-year-old man charged with her murder. The family and community are waiting for more news.

Conclusion

The search for Samantha Murphy’s body is ongoing in Ballarat. Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad and experts from interstate and federal agencies are leading the search. Finding Samantha’s mobile phone near a dam in Buninyong was a big breakthrough. Authorities hope it will give them clues about her last steps.

Even though the search is still going on, Samantha’s body has not been found. Nigel Phair, a police spokesperson, said finding it gets harder as time goes by. The search hasn’t made much progress since the phone was found. Police might have to reduce the search efforts as they focus on building a strong case against 22-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson, who is charged with Samantha’s murder.

The community is still shaken by Samantha’s disappearance. The case has caught the public’s attention, especially with recent worries about women’s safety. Forensic Criminologist Dr. Xanthé Mallett talked about the challenges of finding Samantha’s body. She said the open landscape and lack of surveillance make it tough. Dr. Mallett also stressed the need for careful procedures and attention to detail in this important case.