Samantha Murphy: timeline of the investigation into alleged murder of Ballarat woman

Victoria police on Thursday say they have charged a 22-year-old man with murder in relation to the disappearance of missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy, who vanished more than a month ago.

Her case, among almost 40,000 missing person reports each year in Australia, has captivated and troubled the nation.

A week after she disappeared, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said his thoughts were with her family as he acknowledged it was a difficult time.

Here’s a timeline of what we know about the search and the investigation into the disappearance of Murphy.

Sunday 4 February

7am – Murphy is last seen on Sunday 4 February, captured on CCTV footage in her family home’s driveway.

That morning, while the town was tipped to swelter through a 36C day, Murphy – age 51 and a keen runner – tells friends she plans to run in the nearby Woowookarung regional park, known by locals as the Canadian forest.

About 8am – Murphy is believed to have reached the Mount Clear area by foot, according to mobile phone data later obtained by police.

Map of the search areas where police sought clues as to Murphy’s disappearance.Map of the search areas where police sought clues as to Murphy’s disappearance

Later that day, her family raises the alarm after she failed to attend a planned brunch.

Monday 5 February

Victoria police appeal for information from the public over her disappearance.

“Police and family have concerns for Samantha’s welfare due to the hot weather and her disappearance being out of character,” police say in a statement.

Wednesday 7 February

Police release CCTV footage of a woman they initially believe to be Murphy running along a Ballarat street.

A member of the public comes forward to confirm they were depicted in the vision, not Murphy.

Thursday 8 February

Murphy’s family issue an emotional plea for her to come home.

Murphy’s eldest daughter, Jess, breaks down in tears as she sought to speak directly to her mother at a press conference at Ballarat West police station.

“Mum, we love you so much, and we miss you, and we need you at home with us,” she says.

“Please come home soon. I can’t wait to see you and to give you the biggest hug when I do, and to tell you off for giving us so much stress. I love you.”

Murphy’s husband, Michael, urges anyone with information about his wife’s disappearance to come forward.

“People just don’t vanish into thin air. Someone has got to know something,” he says.

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Friday 9 February

Victoria police’s missing persons squad takes over as lead investigators on the search for Murphy. Police cite “significant concerns” as the search enters its sixth day.

Acting Det Supt Mark Hatt tells media there is nothing to suggest there was “anything sinister” about Murphy’s disappearance at the time.

“However, it is especially concerning that we have now gone six days without any contact from her or any potential sightings,” he says.

Investigators also widen their search to the Buninyong area, based on a “ping” from Murphy’s phone, after spending the past five days searching bushland around the Woowookarung regional park, known by locals as the Canadian state forest.

Wednesday 14 February

Victoria police acknowledge there are “some suspicions” in the disappearance of Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy after she vanished 10 days ago.

The police commissioner, says Murphy’s disappearance looked “suspicious” but there are no new developments in the investigation.

Police released images of Ballarat East woman Samantha Murphy, including one from the morning she disappeared. Composite: Victoria police

“When someone’s been missing for this period of time, we have no trace, well clearly there must be some suspicions there because we haven’t been able to locate her,” he says.

Friday 23 February

Victoria police say it is “very doubtful” she is still alive amid a renewed ground search.

Mobile phone data provides a new lead in the search for Murphy, with a previously examined area the subject of a targeted hunt for clues as to her disappearance. Up to 40 detectives search the Mount Clear area – about 7km south of Murphy’s home.

Saturday 24 February

A volunteer-led community search takes places in Ballarat with hundreds of locals and visitors searching dense bushland in the hope of finding a clue to assist the investigation.

Wednesday 6 March

6am – Victoria police arrest a 22-year-old man at his home. He is taken to a police station where he remains in custody overnight.

Thursday 7 March

9.30am – Victoria police announce the man’s arrest.

2.10pm – Victoria police say the man has been charged with murder.