Inside Samantha Murphy’s tragic last overseas holiday amid a major shift in the investigation – as her tour guide breaks his silence about what he witnessed

Touching photos of what is believed to be Samantha Murphy’s last trip abroad with her family have emerged exactly a month after she disappeared without a trace.

The 51-year-old mother of three has not been seen since February 4 when she left her home in Ballarat East, west of Melbourne, for a jog.

Victorian detectives now fear the worst in what has become the police’s priority investigation.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Mrs Murphy enjoyed a holiday to Bali with her husband Mick and three children in 2017.

Dozens of images show what appeared to be an enjoyable trip, with Ms Murphy and her family traveling to many of the island’s iconic locations.

Their guide in Ubud’s famous Monkey Forest, Pete Mahendra, told Daily Mail Australia he remembered Ms Murphy and her family fondly.

“They are a good family and they care about everyone,” he said Monday.

Ms Murphy’s disappearance shocked the Balinese guide, whose company Pete’s Tour & Transport Service is popular with Australian tourists.

“I’m so sorry to hear it,” he said.

‘It was the lLast time I took them on a trip to Bali. I I hope they find her soon and she’s okay.”

Mr Mahendra said the Murphys seemed happy and at ease during their time with him.

‘They were fine with it when they were with me in Bali. TThere were no arguments, they are a good family,” he said.

Mr Mahendra said he remained hopeful Victoria Police would resolve the case quickly.

‘Hopefully the authorities will get clues to find her. I hope the news isn’t true. I hope she is still alive and healthy. GI bless her,” he said.

The Murphys enjoyed a hectic day with Mr Mahendra, who took the family to waterfalls, a butterfly park and a coffee plantation.

Other photos show Mrs. Murphy and her family smashing it up in an upside-down house, riding an elephant at a local zoo and visiting a water slide park.

Other images seem to suggest moments of tension or fatigue on the couple’s faces.

The Murphys escaped a cold Melbourne winter for their getaway to Bali.

Daily Mail Australia revealed last month that the Murphy family were regular summer holidaymakers at a caravan park in Torquay, where they stayed in a cabin.

Mrs Murphy was noticeably absent from the traditional January holiday and went missing shortly afterwards.

Her childhood friend, Virginia O’Loughlan, told Daily Mail Australia that Ms Murphy had missed the traditional family holiday after falling ill with Covid-19.

‘There was nothing suspicious about it. There was no family feud. I can understand why people might start thinking that, but she definitely had Covid. Another friend of ours also had Covid and they were both talking about it and if they got better they would catch up,” she said.

“She definitely would have been there, but she didn’t want anyone to get Covid.”

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Murphy is involved in his wife’s mysterious disappearance, and police have not suggested foul play.

Ms Murphy was due to meet friends for brunch at 11am on the day she went missing.

On the morning Ms Murphy disappeared, she was captured on her own CCTV system wearing a maroon/brown singlet and black mid-length leggings.

Ms Murphy is described as white, approximately 173cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length blond hair.

Anyone who sees her is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.