Ballarat community honours Samantha Murphy in Friday night vigil

Hundreds of people have gathered to pay tribute to Samantha Murphy at a vigil, as the search for her body continues.

Hundreds of friends and strangers have gathered to honour mother Samantha Murphy, as investigators continue to search for her body.

The Ballarat community held a vigil to honour the life of the mum-of-three at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Garden on Friday evening.

Ballarat East woman Samantha Murphy vanished on February 4.

Those who had gathered laid flowers in honour of Ms Murphy, many of whom didn’t know the family but felt compelled to pay their respects.

A book was also placed on a table alongside two portraits of the 51-year-old for people to share their condolences with the Murphy family.

Those who arrived early were seen taking a moment to reflect silently.

Many embraced each other as the community gathered, with some shedding tears at the gravity of the evening.

The vigil comes as 22-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson was charged with the 51-year-old’s murder on Thursday.

Mourners form a line to pay tribute to Samantha Murphy. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tamati Smith

Mourners lay flowers in memory of the mother-of-three. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tamati Smith.

A young boy holds his mother as mourners form a line to pay tribute to Samantha Murphy in Ballarat Victoria. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tamati Smith

Ms Murphy disappeared on February 4 after she failed to return to her Eureka St home from a morning jog through the Woowookarung Regional Park.

Her family alerted authorities after they grew concerned she was missing.

Police will allege Ms Murphy was killed on February 4 by Mr Stephenson, who remains in custody.

The Ballarat community came out lean on each other during this sad time. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tamati Smith

Mourners were encouraged to use their torches for a moment’s silence for Ms Murphy, Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tamati Smith

One mourner lights a candle in honour of the missing mother. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tamati Smith

Hundreds gathered on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tamati Smith

Mourners listen on as people pay their respects to Samantha Murphy. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tamati Smith

Despite extensive searches of bushland since her disappearance, not a single trace of her has been found.

Police and volunteers are continuing the extensive search to bring peace to Ms Murphy’s family.

Organisers had planned to provide a space for the community to come together and mourn.

Those who attended paid their respects by using their torches during a moment’s silence.

Community leaders were also spotted paying their respects among the crowd, including Ballarat MP Catherine King, Eureka MP Michaela Settle and Wendouree MP Juliana Addison.

Originally published as Ballarat community honours Samantha Murphy in Friday night vigil