A man has been arrested over the disappearance of missing regional Victoria woman Samantha Murphy, who vanished four weeks ago.
The 51-year-old left her home at Eureka Street in Ballarat East on 4 February to go jogging and has not been seen since.
Here’s how the case has unfolded so far:
Who is Samantha Murphy?
Murphy is described as a Caucasian woman, about 173cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair.
She is a mother of three children and married to Michael Murphy.
Murphy is known to family and friends as a mentally and physically strong woman, and her disappearance is said to be out of character.
Samantha Murphy is described as a Caucasian woman, about 173cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair. Source: AAP / Victoria Police
On 4 February, she told her husband she was heading out for her regular 20km jog through the Canadian State Forest.
Her family members reported her missing later that morning. Officers do not know the exact route Murphy took on her run.
A friend of Murphy said she was an extremely dedicated mum and described the situation as an “absolute nightmare rollercoaster”.
“Sam is the most strong woman I know and I’m not just talking about mind, I’m also talking about body,” Virginia O’Loughlan told the Seven Network in early February.
The arrest
Missing persons squad detectives at his home, Victoria Police said on Thursday.
He is yet to be charged as of Thursday morning. Police say he is not linked to the Murphy family.
Officers have spoken to a number of people as part of their investigation into Murphy’s disappearance, police said.
“We understand that there is a continued high level of interest in this investigation and concern about Samantha’s disappearance, however it remains critical that any speculation does not impede any aspects of the investigation,” police said on Thursday.
The search for Samantha Murphy
An “extensive” search involving, among others, local police, search and rescue squad members, and the mounted branch and dog squad, was scaled back after six days.
They combed through dense forest, private land and walking tracks.
Ballarat region areas including Buningyong, Eureka, and Canadian State Forest, were scoured to no avail.
Community-led searches were also carried out, including in late February. Separately, police again scoured bushland in Mt Clear after the release of new phone data.
It’s unlikely Murphy would be found alive after her disappearance in suspicious circumstances, police said in late February, adding they were investigating whether her body had been moved.
Police say that despite extensive searches of the Canadian Forest area, no trace of Samantha Murphy has been located. Source: AAP / James Ross
Detective acting superintendent Mark Hatt said at the time Murphy’s disappearance likely involved one or more parties.
Police have ruled out any type of medical episode and there is nothing to indicate she had left the area on her own accord.
Police on Thursday continued “to appeal for anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage and is yet to speak to police to come forward”.
