One year since Samantha Murphy's disappearance, family still seeks answers

As the one-year anniversary of Samantha Murphy's disappearance approaches, her family and the Ballarat community remain desperate for answers. The 51-year-old mother went for a run on February 4, 2024, and has not been seen since, leading to extensive searches that failed to recover any trace of her. Her mother, Pam Robson, expressed the family's enduring hope that her remains will be found so they can finally give her a proper funeral. In March 2024, police charged 23-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson with her murder, a charge he has pleaded not guilty to, and the trial is expected to commence soon. Despite the passage of time, Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan reassured the community that the missing persons squad remains committed to locating Samantha. The case has become a focal point of grief and concern for the local community, highlighting the emotional toll of her disappearance.