Husband of Samantha Murphy clings to hope as search for Ballarat mum enters third week

The husband of missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy says the effort to try find his wife has been “extraordinary” following her mysterious disappearance earlier this month.

The husband of missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy has thanked the community for their “extraordinary” effort in searching for his wife two weeks on from her disappearance.

Samantha, 51, seemingly vanished without a trace after leaving her family home in Ballarat East to go for a 14km run early on February 4.

In the days following her disappearance, the community rallied to support Victoria Police and other emergency service crews in an exhaustive search for anything that would point to Samantha’s whereabouts.

The search for missing Ballarat mother-of-three Samantha Murphy has entered its third week. Picture: supplied

Michael Murphy, 50, told the Herald Sun the public support had been great and the search effort had been extraordinary so far.

“We (would) like to thank each and every person that has donated their time for searching for Sam,” Mr Murphy said.

“I hope we can find something soon.”

Police disheartened many within the Ballarat community when they confirmed the search effort would be dialled back from February 9 onwards, with the Missing Persons Unit in Melbourne heading the investigation.

Samantha Murphy’s husband Mick and daughter Jess speak to media outside Ballarat West Police Station. Picture: NCA Newswire

However, a group of locals, known as the “Ground Crew”, have not lost faith in finding Samantha and have urged the wider community to continue the search effort.

Ground Crew volunteer Tori Baxter said the support from members of the community who know Samantha, and those who don’t, had been incredible.

“We are grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from the community so far but it’s important to not lose momentum now,” Ms Baxter said.

A large-scale search for Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy was dialled back earlier this month. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“However, we still need more volunteers to join us in this crucial search for Samantha.

The group has organised a local search party starting from Eureka Stockade Memorial Park, just off Eureka St, on Saturday morning.

With “safety first” in mind, Ms Baxter said the Ground Crew would organise volunteers into small groups on the day, encouraging everyone thinking of attending to bring adequate equipment.

“We just really need the numbers and the public support to help find her,” she said.

The Ground Crew has appealed for support from local businesses in the hopes that they can provide fluorescent vests, whistles, and other items that may assist their search efforts.