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Bush visit twist in Sam Murphy probe

Detectives have escorted the man charged with Sam Murphy’s murder to the rugged area near to where she was last seen alive.

Alleged killer of murdered a Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy, Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, in court. COURT SKETCH: NewsWire/ Paul Tyquin
Alleged killer of murdered a Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy, Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, in court. COURT SKETCH: NewsWire/ Paul Tyquin

The young man charged with the murder of missing Ballarat woman Sam Murphy was taken by police from jail to the dense bushland near where the mother was last seen alive, it has been reported.

Patrick Orren Stephenson, according to a report in Tuesday’s Herald Sun, was taken under police guard to the Canadian Forest region near the Victorian city late last year.

Ms Murphy, a mother of three, has not been seen alive since she left for a Sunday morning jog on February 4 last year. Her remains have not been found. Her discarded mobile phone was found near a farm dam last year.

Police on motorbikes join a search in an area around Enfield State park in Victoria. Picture: NewsWire /pool / David Crosling
Police on motorbikes join a search in an area around Enfield State park in Victoria. Picture: NewsWire /pool / David Crosling

Mr Stephenson was charged with Ms Murphy’s murder about a month after disappeared. The Herald Sun report did not confirm the reason 23-year-old Mr Stephenson was taken out of prison.

Victoria Police declined to comment on Tuesday.

“Victoria Police will not be commenting on this story as the matter is before the court,” police said in a statement. Police said the investigation remains a significant priority for the force.

Samantha Murphy, right, and Patrick Orren Stephenson, left.
Samantha Murphy, right, and Patrick Orren Stephenson, left.
Damon Johnston
Damon JohnstonMelbourne Bureau Chief

Damon Johnston has been a journalist for more than 35 years. Before joining The Australian as Victoria Editor in February 2020, Johnston was the editor of the Herald Sun - Australia's biggest selling daily newspaper - from 2012 to 2019. From 2008 to 2012, Johnston was the editor of the Sunday Herald Sun. During his editorship of the Herald Sun, the newspaper broke the story of Lawyer X, Australia's biggest police corruption scandal, which was recognised with major journalism awards in 2019. Between 2003 and 2008, Johnston held several senior editorial roles on the Herald Sun, including Chief-of-Staff and Deputy Editor. From 2000 to 2003, Johnston was the New York correspondent for News Corporation and covered major international events including the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the city. After joining the Herald Sun in 1992, Johnston covered several rounds including industrial relations, transport and state politics.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/bush-visit-twist-in-sam-murphy-probe/news-story/9e6680d97b66c92c6f3ba934cb1a09e0