A renewed and targeted police search is now underway for Samantha Murphy, the Victorian mother who vanished without a trace during a morning run in February 2024.
Intelligence Leads to New Search Location
Acting on fresh intelligence, investigators from the Missing Persons Squad are concentrating their efforts on Enfield State Park, located south of Ballarat. This marks the latest in a series of extensive searches for the 51-year-old, whose disappearance has gripped the nation.
Samantha Murphy was last seen alive on the morning of February 4, 2024, when she set out for a run in the Canadian State Forest. Despite a man being charged with her murder, her body has not been recovered, driving the ongoing investigative efforts.
A Complex Investigation and a Charged Suspect
In a significant development in March 2024, police charged 23-year-old tradesman Patrick Orren Stephenson with Ms Murphy's murder. Stephenson, who is the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, pleaded not guilty in November 2024 after electing to fast-track his criminal trial.
Previous large-scale searches have scoured areas including the Canadian Forest and the Buninyong Bushland Reserve. A prior search in the Enfield State Forest was conducted in September 2024. The current search area is approximately a 15-minute drive from Buninyong, where Ms Murphy's mobile phone was discovered buried in mud on the edge of a farm dam in May.
Community Impact and Police Resolve
The disappearance of Samantha Murphy prompted an immense outpouring of community support, with numerous volunteers joining initial searches. Authorities have now warned the public to avoid the current search zone in Enfield State Park due to the area being littered with dangerous mine shafts.
Victoria Police released a statement confirming detectives are undertaking a targeted search as part of the investigation. Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan has previously affirmed the force's commitment, stating, 'There is nothing we want more than to return Samantha to her family and we remain committed to doing this.'
He also urged locals using areas of interest to be vigilant and contact police immediately if they believe they may have come across any evidence related to the case.
