Man charged with murder after the disappearance of Samantha Murphy

The 22-year-old suspect was taken into police custody on Wednesday morning, 31 days after the Ballarat mum went missing.

A 22-year-old man has been charged with murder over the disappearance of Samantha Murphy.

 He was arrested from his home by Missing Persons Squad detectives and put into police custody early Wednesday morning, 31 days after Samantha disappeared during a 14-kilometre run.

It was 7am on February 4 when the 51-year-old left her Eureka Street home in East Ballarat to go for a run. The mum-of-three routinely went on long runs in the area, particularly near Woowookarung Regional Park.  

That day Samantha never came home.

She was reported missing by her family later that morning when she missed a brunch.

Police and volunteers from the community scoured the local area as well as the nearby Canadian Forest, but found no trace of the missing woman.

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Samantha Murphy's husband and daughter spoke to reporters in the week after Samantha's disappearance. Photo: NCA Newswire/Nick Connolly

Police continue to investigate after suspect charged with murder in Samantha Murphy case

Samantha’s disappearance shocked the community. Hundreds Ballarat locals pulled together to form volunteer search parties and support Samantha’s husband Mick and their three children.

The case has been the most high-profile missing persons investigations in Victoria, with police reviewing 20,000 hours of CCTV footage and 770 information reports.  

On Thursday police said they would not be providing further updates into the case, and that investigators were speaking with a number of people as part of the investigation.

“We understand that there is a continued high level of interest in this investigation and concern about Samantha’s disappearance,” police said.

“However, it remains critical that any speculation does not impede any aspects of the investigation.”

Detectives have asked anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward and speak with police.

Anyone with information  about Samantha's disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Man charged with murder after the disappearance of Samantha Murphy