The man accused of murdering missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy has reportedly been taken from prison under police guard to bushland near where she was last seen.
Patrick Orren Stephenson was removed from custody and escorted to the Canadian Forest region late last year, according to The Herald Sun.
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It remains unclear why the 23-year-old was taken there, but the area has been central to the ongoing investigation.
Murphy, a 51-year-old mother of three, disappeared on the morning of 4 February 2024 after going for a jog near her Ballarat East home.
Despite extensive searches, her body has never been found.
Her mobile phone was later discovered near a dam on private property, offering a key clue in the months-long search.
Stephenson was charged with her murder in March, approximately one month after she vanished.
He is currently being held in custody and is reportedly in solitary confinement at Melbourne Assessment Prison.
The Herald Sun did not confirm the reason for Mr Stephenson’s escorted visit to the bush, but it followed renewed efforts by police in late 2024 to locate Ms Murphy’s remains.
Police on motorbikes, alongside forensic teams and other specialist units, have conducted repeated searches across Canadian State Forest, Enfield State Park and Buninyong Bushland Reserve.
Victoria Police declined to comment on the reported escort, stating only that the investigation remains a “significant priority”.
“Victoria Police will not be commenting on this story as the matter is before the court.”
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