Key moments in year since Melbourne mum Samantha Murphy disappeared
It’s a case that broke Australia’s heart: A beloved mum goes for a run and never comes back. Here are the key moments in the year since Samantha Murphy went missing.
The case shook Australia.
A beloved mum to three kids goes for an early morning run and never comes home.
It’s coming up to one year since Samantha Murphy went running in the forests near her home in Ballarat and disappeared, sparking mass volunteer search operations and an extensive police investigation.
A young man, 23-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson, has been charged with her murder, but he has pleaded not guilty to the alleged killing.
Despite extensive and repeated targeted searches across multiple bushland areas, her body has not been found.
One year on from this disturbing, twisting tragedy, NewsWire takes a look at how the mystery unfolded and reveals where the case is now.
The key moments
On Sunday, February 4, 2024, 51-year-old Murphy leaves her home on Eureka St in Ballarat East about 7am.
Her family raise concerns for her welfare when she fails to return for a scheduled brunch.
Over the coming days and weeks, the desperation and heartache around her disappearance escalates.
February 5 – First Public Statement
Victoria Police Acting Inspector Lisa MacDougall issues a public appeal.
“Obviously, yesterday was a hot day … there (is) obviously increased risk there because of the heat,” she said.
“It raises the urgency of the search for us and obviously we account for the fact that that will have an impact on someone’s health.
Police and the SES search the state forest area behind the Buninyong Golf Club on Monday.
MacDougall said Ms Murphy usually went for a run every day and was very familiar with the Canadian State Forest and surrounding areas.
“The area of search isn’t completely remote, we are on the outskirts of Ballarat, and it’s not that far from urban areas as well,” MacDougall said.
February 7 – The Murphy Family Plea for Help
Husband Michael Murphy appears before the media with his family and pleads for public help.
Murphy’s daughter Jess delivered an impassioned plea for her mum to “come home soon”.
“Mum’s a really strong woman and she’s far too determined to give up this fight,” she said through tears outside the Ballarat West Police Station.
“I know she’s out there somewhere, so if you could please continue to search for her and give us something to work with we’d really appreciate it.
“Mum we love you so much and we miss you … please come home soon.”
Mr Murphy also spoke and implored anyone with information about his wife to come forward to the police.
“People just don’t vanish into thin air. Someone’s got to know something,” he said.
“Whether it be any little thing that you might think is relevant, just call the police and let them know.
“It’ll give us a bit of peace of mind, some hope.”
February 10 – The Search is Scaled Back
In a statement released on Saturday morning, police confirmed the “active search” for Ms Murphy would be “scaled back” over the weekend.
“An extensive six-day search has been conducted involving local police, along with personnel from the Search and Rescue Squad, Mounted Branch and Dog Squad, plus significant assistance from members of the SES and CFA,” the police said.
“Police continue to be in regular contact with Samantha’s family regarding the developments of the search and the status of the investigation.
“The investigative stage of the investigation continues and as any new information comes to hand identifying areas of interest, the search will be scaled up.”
But in touching scenes on Saturday, volunteers continued to hit the trails in Woowookarung Regional Park — where Ms Murphy often went running.
Some of those searching were local to the area, while others given up their weekend and travelled from Melbourne hoping to help the search effort.
February 14 –‘Suspicious’
Victorian Police chief commissioner Shane Patton says the disappearance is being treated as suspicious
March 6, 7 and 8 – The Arrest, Murder Charge and Identification
Victorian Police arrest 22-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson at a Scotsburn home on March 6 and he remains in police custody overnight.
The next day at 9.30am, the police announce the arrest, and then announce in the afternoon they have charged Stephenson with murder.
Stephenson appears at Ballarat Magistrates Court on March 7, but his identity is suppressed.
On March 8, an order preventing the media from naming him is lifted.
Mr Stephenson is an electrician and the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson.
The police allege Mr Stephenson acted alone.
“We’re saying this was a deliberate attack on Samantha,” Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said at a press conference after announcing the arrest.
“He’s been located through a range of investigative outcomes that have come together, and as you are aware, we have been pinging phones and following up on investigation reports from members of the public.
“We have done ground searches, we have done door knocks, so it’s a whole range of information that has come together.”
May 29 – The iPhone
The police launch a targeted search at Buninyong.
They find Murphy’s iPhone in mud near a dam.
November 14 – Stephenson Pleads Not Guilty
Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, sported a bushy beard as he was beamed into the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning from the Melbourne Assessment Prison.
He wore a white shirt and kept his arms crossed in front of him and spoke to confirm he could see and hear the court.
Ms Murphy’s husband, Mick Murphy, watched the hearing from the body of the courtroom.
Crown prosecutor Raymond Gibson KC told the court that Mr Stephenson had elected to fast-track his case to the Supreme Court for trial.
This skips a committal hearing in the Magistrates Court jurisdiction in which a magistrate hears the evidence and decides if they’re satisfied it could support a conviction. It will allow Mr Stephenson to face trial at an earlier date.
“Not guilty, Your Honour,” the accused man said when asked how he would like to plea.
Several members of Mr Stephenson’s family observed the hearing online.
Police allege the Ballarat-born private schoolboy murdered Ms Murphy on February 4 in the Mount Clear area – 6km from her Eureka St home.
What Happens Now?
Stephenson has been committed to stand trial at the Victorian Supreme Court.
The trial is now in the “pre-trial” phase.
The pre-trial phase ensures both sides are prepared for trial. Both sides exchange relevant documents and evidence, and witness lists and expert reports. The judge makes sure everything is ready for the trial.
A directions hearing is booked for February 18.
The trial is expected in 2025, but it’s possible it will be pushed back to 2026.
As of this week, Victorian Police told NewsWire there were no new developments or updates in the search for Murphy’s body.
Alleged ‘Pam the Bird’ graffiti artist named
A controversial piece of graffiti plastered in seemingly impossible places across Melbourne is solely the work of one man, police believe.
Search for ‘traitor’ who sold out The Punisher
Members of Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim’s inner circle are reportedly searching for the ‘traitor’ who revealed his location before he was shot.
$500k luxury car stolen from home
A Ferrari worth half a million dollars was stolen from a home in Melbourne’s west in a string of break-ins.