She Vanished After Going On A Morning Run, And A Suspect Has Since Been Charged With Her Murder, But Her Whereabouts Remain A Mystery
Samantha Murphy of Victoria, Australia, was married to her husband, Mick Murphy, and together, they had three children.
The Murphy family lived on Eureka Street in Ballarat, located in the Central Highlands region of Victoria. Samantha and her husband also operated a small business together near their home.
She was known to be very physically and mentally fit as well, and in February of this year, she reportedly began training to run in an upcoming race.
So, on February 3, Samantha and her husband had dinner at their house with some mutual friends. During the meal, she shared her plan to go on an 8.7 mile – or 14-kilometer – run through the Woowookarung Regional Park the following day.
Then, the following morning, Samantha was last caught on surveillance camera footage leaving her home to go on her run at approximately 7:00 a.m. After this final sighting, she was never seen again.
Later that same morning, February 4, Samantha was supposed to go to brunch with her family at 11:00 a.m. However, she never arrived, and afterward, her family ultimately contacted the Victoria State Police to report her missing.
Once an investigation was launched, authorities reportedly stated that Samantha went missing under suspicious circumstances. Then, they claimed to believe that she was likely dead and that “one or more parties” were potentially responsible for her going missing.
According to GPS records, Samantha ran 4.3 miles through Woowookarung Regional Park to Mount Clear. Her cell phone last pinged to a cell tower located in Buninyong, which is about 8.7 miles away from her house.
Investigators began by conducting widespread search efforts in the park, as well as the surrounding areas. They were assisted by the Search and Rescue Squad, Mounted Branch, Air Wing, and the dog squad. Still, no indicators of Samantha or her whereabouts were uncovered.
farmuty – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
Just one week after Samantha went missing, a different woman who was running in the Lal Lal state forest was attacked by an unidentified man, who reportedly used a rock tied to a stick. The location of this attack was approximately 12 miles from Samantha’s intended running path.
Investigators suspected that this attacker – who was never located – might have been involved in Samantha’s disappearance.
But, on March 6, 2024, a new suspect was arrested and charged with murder in connection to Samantha’s case.
Patrick Orren Stephenson, the 22-year-old son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, was arrested at his Scotsburn home that day.
He had attended both St. Patrick’s College, located in Ballarat, and Damascus College in Mount Clear. Additionally, he was a junior football player for the Redan Football Netball Club.
Investigators alleged that Samantha’s murder was an “intentional act” that happened at Mount Clear on the same day she vanished.
“We are alleging a deliberate attack that has caused the death of Samantha,” said Police Commissioner Shane Patton during a short hearing.
At first, it was believed that Patrick did not know Samantha or her family. Then, investigators reportedly learned that he was once a student at St. Francis Xavier Primary School, and Samantha had volunteered there.
However, while Patrick awaits his next court appearance, which is set to take place on August 8, the search for Samantha continues.
The alleged suspect reportedly has not provided any information on the location of her body, and investigators claim they are still searching at “a very heavy pace.”
“Investigations will continue at a very heavy pace. Doing everything we can to locate Samantha’s body for the family is absolutely vital,” said Patton.
Samantha was five foot eight, weighed about 118 pounds, and had blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing black leggings and a purple running singlet.
If you have any information regarding her case, you are urged to contact the Victoria State Police.
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