Haunting twist in Samantha Murphy’s disappearance – after cops admitted ‘suspicious circumstances’

Missing woman Samantha Murphy was a fierce advocate for missing people, pets and cars in her local community before she herself disappeared without a trace.

The mother-of-three, 51, disappeared after leaving her home to go jogging in Woowookarung Regional Park, near Ballarat, Victoria, on February 4.

Her Ballarat community has rallied for the missing jogger with the same dedication Ms Murphy had to reuniting families with their loved ones, dogs, cats and cars.

She shared numerous posts on Facebook in 2021 and 2022 to raise awareness for helping families find their missing loved ones, and once even shared information about a stolen ventilator.

Ms Murphy also posted about her 10-week-old puppy Ruby, after she went missing on May 18, 2021 but was later found.

‘Ruby just got back. Filthy and frozen and needs lots of cuddles!! Thank you all so much for all your shares and support… Very happy family. A tired dog with a full belly who slept soundly,” she wrote.

‘Thank you everyone for all your shares and support.’

But in a further blow to the missing mother’s family, Ruby had disappeared from the house again – just four days after Mrs Murphy went missing. Unfortunately, the dog was hit by a car and had to be put to sleep.

Ms Murphy had taken to social media in 2021 to ask for help to find Ruby after the then ten-week-old puppy escaped from her family’s previous home in nearby Navigators.

Samantha Murphy poses for a photo with her husband Mick, above.

In an ironic twist, the final image of Ms Murphy, shared with the public by Victoria Police, appears to show her throwing away Ruby’s feces.

Police consider Samantha Murphy’s disappearance ‘suspicious’

Dozens of locals continue to search for Ms Murphy, who disappeared under what Victoria Police are now officially calling ‘suspicious’ circumstances.

Chief Constable Shane Patton told Radio 3AW on Wednesday that the search for Ms Murphy had reached a new stage.

“It is certainly unusual that we have not been able to find any trace of hair or other evidence within that period,” he said.

‘It’s suspicious. Whether that means there is foul play, I don’t know, but detectives are clearly investigating a case where a woman has been missing for quite some time.”

A smiling Mick Murphy was pictured at police last Friday – the day after his wife Samantha’s dog Ruby went missing. The dog is believed to have been euthanized

Detectives from the Victoria Police Missing Persons Unit attended Murphy’s property on Wednesday morning.

The detectives stayed inside for over an hour before leaving.

The East Ballarat property is at the center of the investigation. It is where Ms Murphy was last seen on February 4, when she started her morning jog.

Ms Murphy’s husband Mick Murphy, who is still supported by family members, is said to be working with the specialist unit, which is attached to Victoria Police’s homicide unit.

Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina told Sunrise on Thursday morning that detectives would be “looking squarely” into possible sightings of the missing mother.

“They would interview crowds of people who called with information and possible sightings. And this is typical of these types of investigations,” he said.

‘You do get a number of observations from well-meaning people, but every piece of information is followed up and that takes staff, resources and time.’

Mr Bezzina was asked how often it happens that someone from the missing person’s circle has something to do with his disappearance.

‘It’s a matter of looking at all aspects: who lives in the area, do we have other criminals in the area, has she moved into a house or has she disappeared of her own accord? Did these disappear of their own accord? These cases need to be followed up and go where the evidence takes you,” the former detective said.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Murphy had anything to do with his wife’s disappearance.