Detectives in Victoria have charged a 22-year-old man with murder in relation to the disappearance of Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy.
The man was arrested on Wednesday morning over the suspicious disappearance of the 51-year-old, and will face Ballarat Magistrates’ Court this afternoon.
Murphy hasn’t been seen since she left her home to go for a run on 4 February, near the Woowookarung Regional Park.
Samantha Murphy’s disappearance
Police and community volunteers have been searching for 51-year-old Samantha Murphy for more than a month.
It’s believed the mother of three was heading out for an early morning run near the Woowookarung Regional Park when she disappeared.
After she was confirmed missing, police confirmed a nearby phone tower in Mount Clear had detected a mobile signal from Murphy’s phone. However, police said “no trace of the 51-year-old has been located”.
Police response
Victoria Police said “our thoughts today are with Samantha’s family and friends”.
It praised the “commitment and dedication” of investigators for “getting to a position where we have been able to charge someone”.
The search for Murphy continues.
