Samantha Murphy: Search enters third day for runner missing in Victoria’s Canadian State Forest near Ballarat
The search for a mother of three who went missing after going for a run has resumed and is now in its third day.
Samantha Murphy, 51, was last seen leaving her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat East, about 100km northwest of Melbourne, at 7am on Sunday.
It is believed she planned to run through the Canadian State Forest, an area where she walked every day.
Victoria Police said the search had resumed in the bush on Tuesday morning after being suspended overnight.
Samantha Murphy, 51, was last seen leaving her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat East, about 100km northwest of Melbourne, at 7am on Sunday.
The search operation is being coordinated by the Search and Rescue Squad, which also involves local police and specialist officers from the dog brigade, mounted unit, solo unit and air wing.
SES crews and teams from Forest Fire Management Australia and Parks Victoria have also joined the search.
“Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Samantha’s disappearance and are following up on all information and any reports of sightings from the public,” a police spokesperson said.
Mrs Murphy’s ‘appalled and concerned’ family are deeply concerned, describing her disappearance as ‘out of character’.
On the morning Ms Murphy disappeared, she was captured on CCTV wearing a brown shirt and black mid-length leggings.
Acting Inspector Lisa MacDougall previously said Ms Murphy’s mobile phone had pinged in Buninyong but “investigations are ongoing to see if (the phone) is still on”.
On the morning Ms Murphy disappeared, she was captured on CCTV wearing a brown shirt and black mid-length leggings
SES volunteers are searching the area where Mrs Murphy disappeared
“It’s clear that phone batteries can run out, but that’s part of the investigation,” she told reporters on Monday.
Mrs. Murphy was known to go running almost every day and is very familiar with the forest and surrounding urban areas.
“The search area is not completely remote, we are on the outskirts of Ballarat, and it’s not that far from urban areas either,” Insp MacDougall said.
Scorching temperatures in Victoria on Sunday are also causing concern for police, and it is not known whether Ms Murphy had food and water with her.
“It was clear that (Sunday) was a hot day… there is clearly an increased risk there because of the heat,” Insp MacDougall added.
‘For us it increases the urgency of the search and of course we take into account that this has an impact on someone’s health.’
Ms Murphy is described as white, approximately 173cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length blond hair.
Anyone who sees the 51-year-old is asked to contact police immediately.
Friends of Ms Murphy are seen joining the search in Ballarat East