Victoria Police are conducting a “significant search” of bushland in the Enfield State Park area today as part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of 51-year-old Ballarat East woman, Samantha Murphy.
A range of specialist units will join Missing Persons Squad investigators including the Search and Rescue Squad, Mounted Branch, Dog Squad, Public Order Response Team and motorcyclists from Road Policing Command as well as local police from Western Region.
Today’s search will be undertaken in an area within the Enfield State Park and will focus on trying to locate Samantha’s body, Victoria Police said in a statement.
“As such, police are asking that members of the public do not join today’s search efforts at this time.”
Police say the search will focus on an area highlighted by intelligence derived from a number of sources.
The Murphy family has also been informed of this week’s search and police continue to liaise closely with them during the course of this investigation.
Last month, police undertook a similar large scale search in the Buninyong area as part of the effort to locate any trace of Samantha.
22-year-old Patrick Stephenson (pictured, right) was charged with murder on 6 March in relation to Samantha’s disappearance. He was subsequently remanded in custody to appear at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on 8 August.
The Ballarat mother (pictured, left) was last seen leaving her Eureka Street home about 7am on Sunday, 4 February.
“Today’s search in the Enfield State Park involves a significant number of detectives from the Missing Persons Squad and police from a number of specialist areas,” said Crime Command Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt.
“Since Samantha’s disappearance over two months ago, a range of searches and other enquiries have been undertaken in the Ballarat area as part of this investigation. This includes extensive large scale searches such as we have planned this week, but also smaller targeted searches focused in very specific areas.
“I want to assure those in the Ballarat community that police remain focused on doing everything we can to return Samantha to her family.”
This week’s search follows a significant investigation and extensive searches of the Canadian Forest area over the past two months.
These searches have also involved a range of specialist units from across Victoria Police and many local community members have also volunteered their time to assist the search.
Anyone with any information about Samantha’s disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
