Police checking ‘number of different areas’ as part of renewed search for Ballarat mother Sam Murphy

Police have given an update in the renewed search for missing mum Samantha Murphy, revealing they are searching a “number of different areas”.

A renewed search for missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy has pushed into its second day, with dozens of police scouring Victorian bushland.

Ms Murphy, 51, has been missing since February 4, and a 23-year-old charged with her murder fronted court for the second time last month.

At the court hearing his defence lawyer said the amount of material produced by police was “unprecedented”. But the body of the mother-of-three has not been found.

Members of the public have turned out at various police-led searches for Ms Murphy, but this week police are saying civilians should steer clear.

Samantha Murphy last seen leaving her Eureka Street home to go for a run. Picture: Supplied

Her body has not been found, despite numerous searches. Picture: Supplied

Police on a new search for the body of Samantha Murphy in the Buninyong area of Victoria. Picture: NewsWire / David Crosling

Victoria Missing Person Squad detectives were joined by NSW specialist officers and Australian Federal Police at the Grenville Recreation Reserve on Wednesday.

About 45 officers set out on a large-scale search for Ms Murphy with horses, dogs and motorbikes to explore a “super dangerous” area with lots of unidentified mines.

Inspector Dave Dunstan said police had been combing different areas within a 3km radius of rugged terrain on and off for the past six weeks.

He said search crews faced dangerous conditions and had been hindered by bad weather.

“The danger is there are a lot of mines here as well and that’s one of the reasons we’ve brought out search and rescue,” he told reporters.

Inspector Dunstan said authorities were searching a “number of different areas”.

Police have said they are searching a ‘number of different areas’. Picture: NewsWire / David Crosling

They have asked the public to steer clear of the search area. Picture: NewsWire / David Crosling

The search on Tuesday centred on the Grenville area, south of Ballarat. Grenville is close to Buninyong, where Ms Murphy’s phone was found beside a dam in May.

“Police undertook a targeted search in the Ballarat area today as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Samantha Murphy,” a police spokeswoman told NewsWire on Tuesday.

“Since February, police have regularly undertaken a range of inquiries and small-scale searches as part of the current investigation.

“Samantha’s family has also been advised of the search.

“We are not in a position to supply further specific details of today’s operational activity at this time.”

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, appeared in the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court in August. Image: NewsWire / Paul Tyquin

“The search will resume tomorrow.

“Police ask that members of the public do not attend the search at this time.”

Ms Murphy disappeared while out for a run on February 4.

Woowookarung Regional Park, where Ms Murphy often went running, and Enfield State Park have also been extensively searched.

Police found Samantha Murphy’s phone at a dam in May. Picture: NewsWire / Ian Wilson

Police arrested 23-year-old Patrick Stephenson on March 6 and charged him with her alleged murder.

Volunteers involved in Ms Murphy’s search held a public vigil for her at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Garden at 7pm in March.

Ms Murphy’s husband Mick also spoke at an anti-violence against women rally in Ballarat in April.

A chant of “bring Sam home” echoed loud from the crowd.

The search for Ms Murphy will continue on Thursday pending weather.