Hundreds gather for memorial for Samantha Murphy

Community members have gathered at a vigil to honour the life of Samantha Murphy in the Victorian city of Ballarat.

People congregated at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Garden from 7pm.

The 51-year-old, who was a well-known member of the Ballarat theatre scene, failed to return home from an early morning run on February 4.

READ MORE: Suppression order lifted for Samantha Murphy's alleged killer

Police allege she was murdered on Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, on that day.

Ballarat Mayor Des Hudson told 9News the vigil would be a "fairly solemn event" that would give people the time to reflect and mourn the loss of the 51-year-old.

Residents were invited to hold up their phones or light a candle.

"The reach of this story in relation to Samantha, who set out for a run on a Sunday morning and should have been able to do that, yet did not come home.

"The tragic news that came through yesterday confirmed all of our fears.

"I had someone reach out to me that while she could not be there, she would be lighting a candle and placing it in her front window."

The community has been heavily involved in the search for Murphy, with groups of people gathering weekly to search nearby bushland.