Man charged with the murder of missing woman Samah Baker

Detectives have arrested a man in connection with Samah Baker’s disappearance, charging him with murder, ruling out any chance of finding Samah alive.

Until Friday Samah Baker was assumed alive but missing.

The Parramatta woman was described as vivacious and affable with a wide circle of friends. When she failed to call her family on Friday January 4, police intervened and on Friday, March 8, a 32-year-old James Hachem was arrested at Hurstville shopping centre at 10.30am, charged with her murder.

Her family now have replaced hope of her return for mourning; teen sister Elena, changing her profile on Facebook to black.

January 3

Thursday

Samah Baker spent the day with a friend, she attended church at Belfield's St Michael the Archangel Church and had lunch and dinner with a friend around the city and in Coogee. She was allegedly dropped home in front of her apartment in Early St, Parramatta at 1.30am.

January 4

Friday

Ms Baker fails to call her family, like she would every day, and her housemates have not heard or seen her since she left the apartment.

January 14

Monday

A police investigation into Ms Baker's final movements comes up empty, with a call out made to the public for information.

March 1

Friday

Strike force Boutcher are formed to investigate Ms Baker's disappearance.

March 4

Monday

Strike force Boutcher release CCTV footage of Ms Baker and a friend at Vibe Hotel in North Sydney. The Baker family release their first and only statement. "Our family is devastated that we still have not seen or heard from our beloved Samah. Samah is a very outgoing, vivacious, and kind-hearted person and could make friends with everyone she met. Every day without our much-loved sister and daughter is filled with unimaginable grief. We want to find her and bring her home, back where she belongs. Please, if you know where she is, we are begging you to call police."

March 7

Thursday

The search moves from Parramatta and north sydney to Yarra, 16km south-west of Goulburn. Police allegedly find forensic evidence linking Ms Baker to a truckstop, French VC, on the Hume Highway.

March 8

Friday

James Hachem is arrested at Hurstville shopping centre, charged with her murder at 10.30am. He was refused bail and will appear by video link. Investigations are continuing to locate Ms Baker's body.