More Parties Suspected: Victoria Police Uncover New Lead In Samantha Murphy’s Disappearance

As the search for missing Ballarat mother-of-three Samantha Murphy enters its third week, Victoria Police have indicated that “more parties” are likely to be involved in her mysterious disappearance. 

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Telephone data has emerged as a new lead in the ongoing investigation, providing authorities with renewed hope of uncovering the truth behind the 51-year-old’s disappearance.

The mother of three from Ballarat East went for a Sunday jog on February 4 and did not return. 

During a press conference on Friday, Police have confirmed that they will continue searching around the area at Mount Clear, located south of Ballarat CBD.

Led by the Missing Persons squad, the search operation will mobilise resources from the Victoria Police Crime Command alongside local law enforcement. 

Police are currently searching bushland in the Ballarat suburb of Mount Clear for any sign of Ms Murphy.

Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt from Crime Command says police have dismissed the possibility of Murphy voluntarily leaving the area and suspect the involvement of others in her disappearance.

However, considering the duration since Murphy’s disappearance, authorities question the likelihood of her survival.

“Unfortunately, given the time, and the fact we have found no trace of her, we do have severe concerns, and are very doubtful that she is still alive,” Superintendent Hatt said.

“We do think another party has been involved, whether that be one person or a number of people,” he added.

Despite extensive efforts, including the review of approximately 12,000 hours of CCTV footage and the pursuit of over 500 separate leads, searches of the Canadian Forest area have yielded no trace of Ms Murphy.

Superintendent Hatt further said that exhaustive searches and the absence of any medical indications or personal belongings have ruled out the possibility of a medical incident or voluntary departure.

“Victoria Police is doing everything we can to find out what has happened and provide some answers to Samantha’s family and the broader community.”

Authorities urge anyone with information related to Samantha Murphy’s disappearance to come forward and assist in the search for answers. 

Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppers.com.au

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