Last image of jogger Samantha Murphy, missing for four days in Canadian State Forest, released

Police have shared the last known image of a Victorian mum who vanished while on a run in bushland four days ago.

The last known image of a Victorian mum has been released by police in their desperate search for the jogger who vanished four days ago.

Samantha Murphy, 51, left her home on Eureka St in Ballarat East about 7am on Sunday but failed to return, raising concerns for her welfare as temperatures soared to 36C across the area.

The three second clip shows Ms Murphy at 7.16am on Eureka Street running in a north easterly direction.

She had told her husband she was heading out on her regular 20km run through the Canadian State Forest but has not been seen since.

The CCTV captured Ms Murphy running past a Ballarat home. Picture: Supplied

Ms Murphy leaving her home in her running gear on Sunday.

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Ms Murphy.

Investigators have asked residents in the areas around Eureka St, Warrenheip Rd and Yankee Flat Rd to review their CCTV footage between 7am and 11am.

About 12.30pm on Wednesday, a crew searching a walking trail in nearby bushland at Woowookarung Regional Park found an “item of interest”, but police have since ruled it out.

“Items located today during the search for Samantha have been assessed and at this time are not believed to be related to her whereabouts,” police said in a statement.

Ms Murphy’s husband, Michael Murphy arrived at the dirt road entrance of the state forest before speaking with police soon after the items were found.

Mr Murphy did not appear to leave his vehicle and was only at the scene for a short time before he drove away.

Ms Murphy’s husband, Michael Murphy, is seen near a crime scene at Woowookarung Regional Park in Ballarat. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Michael Murphy spoke with police soon after the items were found before leaving the state forest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Police are setting up a crime scene as the search for missing mum Samantha Murphy continues. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Police on the scene. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

The Ballarat East woman has been missing since early Sunday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

The area has now been evacuated by all media. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Local resident Donne Crouch on Wednesday morning raised concerns about an unusual feature in the forest.

“That’s the biggest concern, that there are mineshafts out there that aren’t very noticeable in some areas,” he told Nine.

Ms Murphy’s husband told the Herald Sun his wife runs in the area daily but said he was worried as time wears on.

“It’s just up in the air, we don’t know,” he said.

“It’s just a whole time thing at the end of the day.”

Police are appealing for help finding 51-year-old Samantha, last seen leaving her Eureka St for a run in Canadian State Forest at about 7am on Sunday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Officers and SES volunteers searched the state forest behind Buninyong Golf Club. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

A major search operation is entering its fourth day, involving local police, officers from the Dog Squad, the mounted branch, and Air Wing.

State Emergency Service, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Parks Victoria personnel are also involved in the search.

Police are appealing for help finding 51-year-old Samantha Murphy, last seen leaving her Eureka St for a run in Canadian State Forest Picture: Supplied

Police and family have concerns for her welfare due to the hot weather on Sunday and her disappearance being “out of character”.

“Obviously, yesterday was a hot day … there (is) obviously increased risk there because of the heat,” Acting Inspector Lisa McDougall said on Monday.

“It raises the urgency of the search for us and obviously we account for the fact that will have an impact on someone’s health.”