Ballarat Mayor, Des Hudson, has spoken on live television this morning about his community’s anguish and hope for a positive outcome as the search for missing mother, Samantha Murphy, enters its sixth day.
The Mayor said there continues to be a genuine outpouring of love and support from the community as Victoria Police today revealed Missing Persons Unit detectives have joined the investigation.

“We, as a community, just want Samantha found,” he said.
“With the search entering the six day, we just want her back home with her family where she belongs.”
The Mayor said the 51-year-old missing mum is best known locally for her connection to young people through the performing arts.

“She’s been a mentor to young people for a long time, for a couple of decades – the young people she has come into connect with now have their own kids. She’s made her mark on our community.”
“Tight-knit close family units – that’s what makes our community.”
With many local people getting involved in search efforts to find Samantha, Mayor Hudson said he was still hopeful of a positive outcome.
“We need to, as the rest of the community do, continue with our hopes and prayers and look for that positive outcome that there will be a time that Sam comes back through the front door and they’re together as a family again.”

