Police say they are “very doubtful” missing Victorian woman Samantha Murphy is still alive as they undertake a new, targeted search in the Mount Clear area seven kilometres from her home.
Murphy, 51, was last seen leaving her home on Eureka Street, Ballarat East, at about 7am on Sunday, February 4, to go for a run.
Police conducted multiple searches in the Canadian Forest region, without finding a trace of her.
The new search will focus on an area in the Mount Clear region, which has been highlighted by intelligence derived from phone data, police said.
Speaking to media today, Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt admitted the possibility Murphy was still alive, was slim.
”Unfortunately, given the time and the fact we’ve found no trace of her, we have severe concerns, and we are very doubtful she is still alive,” he said.
He also indicated that police were shifting their focus to the likelihood other people were involved in Murphy’s disappearance.
“We are keeping an open mind, but believe the most likely scenario is that her disappearance involves one or more parties,” Hatt said.
“Given the extensive and detailed search that has already been undertaken, and the fact no sign of Samantha or her personal belongings has been located, we have ruled out any type of medical incident.”
He asked people who may have seen vehicles in the Mount Clear area, or anybody acting suspiciously, on February 4, to contact police.
However, he urged people to avoid “unnecessary and unhelpful speculation”.
Speaking to media, he did not confirm if police had any suspects, but did say the information investigators had received had led them down “a number of avenues”.
“There’s no intelligence or evidence to suggest that there’s any risk to anybody else,” he said.
Among the avenues of investigation was the Murphy family’s business Inland Motor Body Works, though Hatt would not be drawn on specifics.
“Our investigation involves speaking to everyone in Samantha’s life,” he said.
Hatt said police searchers aimed to complete their search of the Mount Clear region today. Between 20 and 40 officers will be involved.
While the area had been covered in the initial search for Murphy, he said at that point police were looking for the missing woman herself, her phone, or her watch.
Now, they are seeking “particular” smaller finds, though Hatt did not specify.
Investigators are also reviewing about 12,000 hours of CCTV footage and following up more than 500 separate pieces of information.
They continue to ask everyone in the Ballarat East and Mount Helen areas, particularly around the Canadian Forest, to check their CCTV for any possible sightings over the past three weeks.
Detectives are also urging anyone travelling through the area, particularly between 7am and 7pm on February 4, who may have dash-cam footage, to also check this for possible sightings.
A number of items have been located during the search for Murphy, however these have since been assessed and at this time are not believed to be related to her disappearance.
There is also no evidence to suggest Murphy’s disappearance is linked to any other incidents in the area at this time.
But there is significant concern for her welfare.
Murphy is described as Caucasian, about 173cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair.
She was last seen wearing black half-length leggings and a maroon/brown singlet.
Anybody who sees her is urged to call Triple Zero, while anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
