A war of words has erupted between online sleuths investigating the disappearance of Samantha Murphy after the woman who set up the original Facebook group branded its followers ‘idiots’.
Ms Murphy, 51, disappeared from her home in Ballarat East, Victoria, after going for an early morning run exactly a month ago on February 4.
In the wake of her disappearance, local Cindy Hobbs set up the Facebook page ‘Find Samantha Murphy’, which attracted more than 21,000 members who all shared information in the search for the missing mother of three.
But less than ten days later, Ms Hobbs removed the page, claiming the group had ‘served its purpose’.
Ms Hobbs, who gave several television interviews about the search in its early days, recently appeared on Jamie Ryder’s ‘F*** Therapy’ podcast, where she made comments that angered other online sleuths.
Samantha Murphy, 51, disappeared from her home in Ballarat East, Victoria, after taking an early morning walk exactly a month ago on February 4 (pictured)
In the wake of her disappearance, local Cindy Hobbs set up the Facebook page ‘Find Samantha Murphy’, which attracted more than 21,000 members all sharing information in the search for the missing mother of three.
‘I wanted to keep my feet on the ground. That’s where I wanted to be,” Ms. Hobbs told the podcast.
“I didn’t want to be stuck behind a Facebook group that monitored 21,000 idiots who couldn’t control themselves.”
Her comments infuriated members of the Facebook group ‘help Find Samantha Murphy’.
“How hurtful to all those who joined her group with the pure intention of helping find Samantha Murph,” one wrote.
“Lord, a woman is missing and this lady is still all about herself,” another added.
Another described her comments as ‘absolutely disgusting behaviour’.
Ms Hobbs told Daily Mail Australia that “updates are coming”.
“I chose to tell my own story in my own time on my own platform, where I can be organic and speak my truth,” she said.
Ms Hobbs (pictured) told Jamie Ryder’s ‘F*** Therapy’ podcast that she ‘didn’t want to be stuck behind a Facebook group that monitored 21,000 idiots who couldn’t control themselves’
Ms Hobbs’ comments caused a stir among online sleuths
She went on to say that the group made her realize that she was “ignoring her own truth.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt so degraded, but at the same time more powerful in my own skin, femininity and intuition,” Ms Hobbs told the podcast.
It is understood that the Find Samantha Murphy group was originally removed after personal attacks and infighting occurred.
Ms Hobbs wrote that she will still ‘scream’ for Ms Murphy’s return and left her followers with a heartfelt message.
“My message is still the same: be kind, it costs nothing, but don’t be so kind that you have nothing to give yourself for self-care,” she wrote.
‘Praying for a miracle.’
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.
Despite a massive search involving police, SES and countless volunteers, no trace of her has been found.
Police said last month that Ms Murphy was unlikely to be found alive while detectives investigate whether her body had been moved.
Hundreds of volunteers helped in the search for missing mother-of-three Samantha Murphy, but no trace of her has been found
Detective Acting Chief Inspector Mark Hatt said police were keeping an open mind about Ms Murphy’s disappearance, but said the most likely scenario was that one or more parties were involved.
Police have ruled out any medical episode and there is no indication she left the area on her own.
“Unfortunately, given the time and the fact that we have found no trace of her, we are extremely concerned and highly doubt that she is alive,” Detective Det Supt Hatt said.
Anyone who sees her is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.