Police launch new search for Samantha Murphy’s body after charging Patrick Stephenson with her murder
Police have launched a new search for the body of Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy at Royal Park in Buninyong, about 10 kilometers from the original search area.
The 51-year-old disappeared after leaving her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat East about 7am on February 4 for a run at nearby Woowookrung Regional Park.
No trace of the mother-of-three has ever been found, despite local man Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, being charged with her murder on March 7.
Police allege Stephenson ‘intentionally assaulted’ Ms Murphy in Mount Clear, about 5km from her home, on the day she went jogging.
He was taken into custody and police allege he repeatedly refused to cooperate with police in their search for Ms Murphy’s remains.
Royal Park is a small park in Buninyong city, with facilities such as football fields and a children’s playground. The park is surrounded by bushland.
The original search area was the vast Woowookarung Regional Park, which is approximately 7 km from the new search area.
Police have launched a new search for the body of Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy in Buninyong.
It comes after Patrick Stephenson, 22, was charged with one count of murder following her suspicious disappearance.
More to come