‘Distraught’ Mick Murphy spotted searching for allegedly murdered wife Samantha Murphy
The husband of missing woman Samantha Murphy was seen driving around bushland where a search was on for his wife – but police had already left.
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The “distraught” husband of missing woman Samantha Murphy was reportedly seen driving around bushland searching for clues and information about his wife who has allegedly been murdered.
Mick Murphy was spotted on Wednesday afternoon driving his blue ute around Buninyong Bushland Reserve, located about 17km from the family’s Ballarat home.
Police had announced earlier on Wednesday that they were set to search the area. But by the time he arrived, the police had already gone.
Ms Murphy, 51, was last seen alive leaving her East Ballarat home to go for a run through the Canadian State Forest on February 4.
Police allege she was murdered by Patrick Stephenson, 22, the day she vanished.
Her body has yet to be found.
On Wednesday morning, dozens of police began searching the new section of bushland near the town of Buninyong, sparked by recently-obtained intelligence.
Within the Buninyong Bushland Reserve, units from specialist branches of Victoria Police, including the search and rescue squad, mounted branch, dog squad and off-road motorcyclists, scoured bushland.
Members of the public, including volunteer search teams, were urged to stay away from the area.
But that reportedly didn’t stop Mr Murphy, who drove the 20 minutes from his home to the search area, to check on progress.
However, by the time he arrived, the search had already been called off by police.
Mr Murphy was asked by the Daily Mail if he knew anything about the search for his wife. He shook his head in response.
The media outlet said he looked “distraught” as he drove through the scrub.
John Robson, Mr Murphy’s father, has claimed that Victoria Police have not kept the family informed of developments in the search for Ms Murphy.
“We haven’t a clue what is going on. Mick is in the same boat as us,” he told the Mail.
Mr Robson further said that since the arrest of Mr Stephenson on March 6, investigators have clammed up on providing the family with information and theories as to why Ms Murphy may have been allegedly killed.
On Wednesday, Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt said police were committed to “doing everything we can to locate her and return her to her family”.
“Hopefully, (Wednesday’s) search will benefit the investigation or provide further avenues of inquiry for police,” she said.
“We will also look at further searches in the Ballarat area as the investigation progresses.”
– with Madeleine Achenza and Liam Beatty
Originally published as ‘Distraught’ Mick Murphy spotted searching for allegedly murdered wife Samantha Murphy
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