Police charge 22yo man with murder of missing Ballarat mum ...

7 Mar 2024

Police have charged a 22-year-old man with the murder of missing Ballarat East woman Samantha Murphy.

Samantha Murphy - Figure 1
Photo ABC News

Victoria Police arrested the man shortly after 6am on Wednesday at his Scotsburn home south of Ballarat.

He was questioned by police before being charged with one count of murder.

He is facing the Ballarat Magistrates' Court this afternoon.

Police are about to hold a press conference after charging a man with the murder of Samantha Murphy.

Police will not allege death was a hit-and-run

Just nowThu 7 Mar 2024 at 5:10am

When asked if police will be alleging Samantha Murphy's death was the result of a hit-and-run incident, Chief Commissioner Patton says no.

Ms Murphy, 51, went missing on February 4 after leaving her Eureka Street home for a morning run.

Despite a significant investigation and extensive searches of the Canadian Forest area, no trace of the mother of three has been found.

"Police are yet to recover Samantha's body and the investigation remains ongoing," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

Search parties have been unable to find a trace of missing mother Samantha Murphy in the surrounding bushland.(ABC News: Rochelle Kirkham/Supplied: Victoria Police)

Speaking after the murder charge was laid, Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt said the force's thoughts were with Ms Murphy's family and friends.

"Since Samantha's disappearance at the start of February, a significant search and investigation has been undertaken in an effort to find her," he said.

Detectives still appealing for dashcam and CCTV footage

The last sighting of Ms Murphy came from CCTV footage outside her own home.

She was wearing a maroon running shirt, black leggings, and an Apple watch.

Ms Murphy's phone, watch, and headphones have still not been found.

Her home is close to the northern border of the Woowookarung Regional Park, or Canadian Forest, where she was known to run.

Detectives are continuing to appeal for anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

Posted 6 hours agoWed 6 Mar 2024 at 10:39pm, updated 6 minutes agoThu 7 Mar 2024 at 5:04am

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