Name: Samantha Murphy
Age: 51 years old
Last seen: February 4, 2024
Location: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Status: Still Missing
Case Information
51-year-old Samantha Murphy was last seen in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia on February 4, 2024. She disappeared after she left her home to go for a morning run in nearby Woowookarung Regional Park.
Background
Samantha Murphy was born on March 30, 1972. She is married to Mick Murphy and the mother of three children.
In 2024, Samantha was a resident of Ballarat, a large rural city in the Central Highlands region of Victoria, Australia. She lived with her family on Eureka Street and operated a small business with her husband near the family home.
Disappearance
On February 4, 2024, Samantha Murphy had dinner at home with her husband and some mutual friends, during which she told them of her plans to do a 8.7 mile run (14 km) through the nearby Woowookarung Regional Park the next day.
On February 4, 2024, Samantha was last seen when she left her home for a morning run. She was captured on surveillance camera outside her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat East, around 7:00 am.
Samantha was due to attend a brunch with her family at 11:00 am. When she failed to show up her family reported her missing to the Victoria State Police.
Samantha never returned home and hasn’t been heard from since.
Investigation
Authorities state Samantha Murphy went missing under suspicious circumstances, later saying they believe she was most likely dead with “one or more parties” possibly involved in her disappearance.
Samantha’s cell phone last pinged to a cellular tower in Buninyong, approximately 8.7 miles (14 km) from her home. GPS records show that she ran 4.3 miles (7 km) through Woowookarung Regional Park to Mount Clear.
Authorities conducted an extensive search of Woowoo Karung Regional Park and the surrounding areas with the help of Search and Rescue Squad, dog squad, Mounted Branch, and Air Wing, but no signs of Samantha were found.
On February 11, 2024, a woman was attacked while running in the Lal Lal state forest by an unidentified male with a rock tied to a stick. The attack occurred in a track about 12 miles (20 km) from where Samantha Murphy had planned to run.
The attacker, described as a white male wearing black jeans, a cap, and no shoes or shirt, was never found. Authorities say the attack may be linked to Samantha Murphy’s disappearance.
Patrick Orren Stephenson
On March 6, 2024, 22 year old Patrick Orren Stephenson was arrested and charged for murder in connection with Samantha Murphy’s disappearance. He was arrested at his house in Scotsburn, about 12 miles (20 km) south of Ballarat.
Authorities alleged that the murder, described as an “intentional act,” occurred at Mount Clear in Ballarat on the day Samantha went missing. The suspect has not disclosed the location of Murphy’s body.
Patrick Orren Stephenson is the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson. He attended St Patrick’s College in Ballarat and Damascus College in Mount Clear. He played junior football for the Redan Football Netball Club.
It was originally believed that Patrick Orren Stephenson was not known to Samantha Murphy or her family, however upon further investigation it was revealed that he attended St Francis Xavier Primary School while Samantha was a volunteer there.
Stephenson is currently awaiting his next court appearance on August 8, 2024.
Whereabouts
The circumstances of Samantha Murphy’s disappearance remain unclear and her case is currently classified as a homicide. Her location remains unknown.
Appearance
Physical Description:
White female born on March 30, 1972. Samantha has blonde hair, hazel eyes, stands 5’8 tall (1,73 m), and weighs 118 pounds.
Distinctive Physical Features:
No information available.
Clothing and accessories:
Samantha was last seen wearing a purple running singlet and black leggings.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Samantha Murphy please contact the Victoria State Police at 000.
Resources & Further Information
Help Find Samantha Murphy – Facebook
Disappearance of Samantha Murphy – Wikipedia
News & Media Links
Victoria Police, SES to search state forest for missing Ballarat woman – ABC News 02/24
Missing Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy most likely dead, say police – ABC News 02/24
Missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy’s disappearance ‘suspicious’ and ‘unusual’, police say – The Guardian 02/24
Police and telecommunications experts to focus efforts on Samantha Murphy’s phone as her disappearance nears one week – Sky News 02/24
Court lifts suppression order on identity of Samantha Murphy’s alleged killer, Patrick Orren Stephenson – 7 News 05/24
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