What we know about the Samantha Murphy case

When did Samantha Murphy go missing?

Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy, 51, was last seen leaving her home near Eureka Street in Ballarat East for a run at 7am on February 4, 2024.

Police received a report from her family that the mother of three was missing after she failed to show up to brunch.

Samantha Murphy was last seen leaving her Ballarat East home on February 4.

Where are the police looking for Samantha Murphy?

Victoria Police launched a public appeal on February 5 and began a large-scale search of an area locals refer to as Canadian Forest – a slice of bushland within the Woowookarung Regional Park about 14 kilometres from where Murphy was last seen.

Police said Murphy’s phone was last recorded near the Buninyong Golf Club. Investigators later scaled back the search after no trace of the missing woman was found.

Police said they are still looking for her body despite a 22-year-old man being charged with her murder on Thursday.

Who has been accused of the murder?

Police have charged the son of a former AFL footballer with murder, but a Ballarat magistrate has issued an interim suppression order preventing the publication of the accused man’s name and address.

We know the Mount Clear man was arrested at a home in Scotsburn on Wednesday. Police aren’t looking for anyone else, and it’s not alleged at this stage that there’s any accomplice.

What has he been charged with?

The man appeared in Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon charged with murdering Murphy on the day she went missing. He has been remanded in custody and will face court at a later date.

Police search for evidence in Mount Clear.Credit: Eddie Jim

How did police find him?

Police say various clues gleaned from a painstaking investigation led them to the accused man, but wouldn’t release details and are still asking for information from the public.

How did Samantha die?

Police allege that Samantha Murphy was deliberately killed at Mount Clear on the day of her disappearance, but wouldn’t reveal any more details.

Did he have a relationship with the family?

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said on Thursday that he understood the accused was not known to the family.

When was Murphy’s family informed of the arrest and charges?

Patton said Murphy’s family was told about the arrest on Wednesday night and were informed a man was being charged on Thursday.

Read more about the disappearance of Samantha Murphy

• Murder charge: An ex-AFL player’s son has been charged with murdering missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy
• The search: A CCTV snap, a morning run, then nothing
• View: A timeline of major developments in the case