Sissy Austin slams police over Samantha Murphy disappearance

Sissy Austin was attacked close to where Ms Murphy went missing. She has revealed why she is furious with police investigating the case.

The woman who was attacked while she was out running close to where Samantha Murphy went missing has revealed why she is “furious” with police.

Sissy Austin was brutally attacked a year ago while out jogging in Lal Lal, with the perpetrator still on the loose.

Ms Austin was attacked on with a homemade weapon by what police believe was a topless, caucasian man on February 11, last year.

Ms Murphy, 51, went missing over a week ago on February 4 after she left her Ballarat East home to go for a jog at about 7am.

Sissy Austin was attacked in the same area where Samantha Murphy went missing.

The alarm was sounded when the mother-of-three failed to attend a brunch she had planned later that day.

Emergency services and local volunteers launched a full-scale search of bushland but no trace of her has been found and on Saturday police said they were scaling back the ground search.

Ms Austin says police have failed to contact her despite telling media organisations that they were revisiting her case in relation to their search for Ms Murphy.

Writing on social media on Tuesday, Ms Austin said: “Just heard detectives on the morning news saying they’re revisiting my case with regards to missing person Samantha Murphy, yet I haven’t heard a single word from detectives or police in 12 months.

“And do you know what makes me furious is one of the last things the cops said to me after my attack was?

Locals searching for Ms Murphy, a much-loved member of the community. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Wilson

“’The only way we will find the person that attacked you is if they hand themselves in or if they attack again.’

“And here we are...”

Ms Austin was left bloodied and bruised after her terrifying ordeal and was admitted to hospital with a severe concussion.

She experienced post-concussion syndrome and says that the injuries have impacted her speech. She also suffers from PTSD as a result of the attack.

Previously speaking to news.com.au about that day, she said: “I’d normally run four kilometres into the bush and then turn around. I run along motorbike tracks and trails and some hills that would turn into a bit of a hike.

“I was almost at the four kilometre turnaround point when I was attacked. All I remember is seeing a male for a very quick moment and the rock tied to a stick coming for me. I woke up on the forest floor, I have no idea how long I was on the ground for.

Ms Austin says she is “furious” with police.

She says police have failed to contact her.

“I remember standing up confused, covered in blood and flies. The whole bush was spinning. I knew those tracks well, but once I stood up everything was blurry. I got very lost trying to find my way back to my car.”

Retired homicide detective Charlie Bezzina believes Ms Austin’s case can provide an avenue of inquiry for police investigating Ms Murphy’s disappearance.

“That would be one avenue of inquiry,” Mr Bezzina told the ABC.

“It remains unsolved. It was a vicious attack on another woman running in the vicinity.

“I’d be looking very closely about the whole investigation, did they have suspects, whether you need to go back and talk to her.

“I’d be looking at the investigation file. Let’s start reinterviewing those suspects, let’s get them alibied.”

Victoria Police has discouraged people from speculating on Ms Murphy’s disappearance, asking for calm as investigators work through the information gathered.

Senior police have stressed that no evidence of foul play has been uncovered, however, investigators were keeping an open mind as they try to solve the mystery.

Hundreds of community members have mobilised themselves to join the search for the beloved mother, and shared their theories online in social media groups.