Samantha Murphy was a woman who went missing from Ballarat, Victoria, on 4 February 2024.
A man was arrested on 6 March 2024 and charged with her murder. Samantha's body has not been recovered.
Case[]
On the night before her disappearance, Samantha explained to friends at a dinner that she regularly started walking and running in nearby bushland, and that she planned to run in Woowookarung Regional Park the following morning. She was seen at 7 AM the next morning on CCTV in the driveway of her home. She was expected at a family gathering at 11 AM, but when she didn't arrive, her family reported her missing.
On 6 March 2024, Patrick Orren Stephenson was arrested in connection with Samantha's disappearance and charged with her murder the following day. Investigators believe that Stephenson did not know Samantha. His trial is set to start on 8 April 2026.
Samantha's belongings, including her wallet, ID and mobile phone, were recovered during the search of a property near Durham Lead on 29 May. Her body has not been recovered.
Characteristics[]
- Shoulder-length blond hair.
- Slim build.
Gallery[]
Sources[]
- Samantha Murphy on Wikipedia
- ABC News