CCTV sought as search resumes for missing Victorian woman

The search for missing Victorian woman Samantha Murphy will resume today after police released CCTV footage of her last known sighting.

The 51-year-old mother was last seen leaving her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat East to go for a run in the Canadian State Forest, about 7am on Sunday.

Police earlier declared a crime scene and evacuated part of a walking trail after a number of mystery items were discovered in shrub during their search, later deemed to be inconsequential.

READ MORE: Dozens of teens questioned, three charged after alleged Melbourne crime spree

Friends and loved ones of the beloved mother told Today they are not giving up hope.

"We are still encouraging everybody to get out there and just do whatever it is that they can to help bring Sam home," Ballarat local Cindy Hobbs said.

"She's part of our community and we don't want anybody out there alone, especially when there are children looking forward to her being returned safely.

"There's a family out there desperate to bring her home. So please don't stop looking, even if it's a detour on your way to work, leave five minutes early.

"You never know what you are going to come across and don't be afraid to report anything."

READ MORE: Order of succession to the British throne

Search expanded

Police have expanded the search to the nearby Mount Helen area, east of Geelong Road in the hope of finding any clues linked to Murphy's disappearance.

They also released CCTV footage captured of Murphy during her run, which was captured about 7.16am on Eureka Street on the day she went missing.

The vision shows Murphy running north past a neighbour's home near the intersection of Warrenheip Road toward Yankee Flat Road.

In a statement, a Victoria Police spokesperson urged any neighbours to hand over CCTV vision to police.

"Investigators would like residents in the above areas to review their CCTV footage between 7am and 11am in the event Samantha is captured," the spokesperson said.

Police previously told media they did not suspect anything suspicious had happened.

The search for the missing mother is in its fourth day, with volunteers, community members and emergency services desperately joining efforts to find Murphy.

The mystery items located today during the search for Murphy were assessed and police do not believe they are related to the search.

Paula Heenan, a friend of Murphy, told ABC they're hopeful of her return but described the situation as surreal.

"We just can't fathom what might have happened or how it happened, how somebody can just disappear.

"It is just indescribable how bizarre it is."

READ MORE: 'Too high, too often': Price gouging report calls for government to step in

The Murphys are well-known in the community, with the family owning a car repair business and Samantha being heavily involved in the local theatre scene.

Earlier, a search zone had been set up around near the Buninyong Golf Club, close to where Murphy's phone was last pinged.

Today Ballarat Mayor Des Hudson said the community would not give up hope in finding Murphy.

"We're talking about a mum of young kids and we just want her to be found safe," Hudson said.

READ MORE: Ex-cyclone forms 5500km cloud band as it leaves Australia

Murphy is described as Caucasian, about 173cm tall with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair.

She was last seen wearing black leggings and a maroon/brown-coloured singlet.

Anyone who sees Murphy is urged to contact Ballarat East police station on (03) 5336 6000.