'We still believe we can locate her': Police issue fresh vow to find missing Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy one year on

Friends and neighbours of missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy have gathered to mark the first anniversary of her disappearance.

The tragic milestone looms after the Ballarat mother, 51, disappeared in the Canadian Forest on February 4, 2024.

Murphy left her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat East at around 7am to go for a run.

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When she failed to return home, where she was expected to attend a brunch, an investigation into her disappearance was launched.

On March 6, 2024, a now 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with one count of murder.

Ballarat man Patrick Orren Stephenson has pleaded not guilty to murder over the disappearance of Murphy, electing to fast-track his trial.

In May, her phone and wallet were discovered on the edge of a dam, roughly five kilometres south of where her phone last pinged a tower.

"I think people need answers," Councillor Samantha McIntosh told 9News.

"The family need answers. Sam's friends need answers."

Today, detectives have reaffirmed their vow to find Murphy's body following a year of exhaustive searches.

The search for her remains has spanned Enfield State Park, Canadian Forest and Buninyong Bushland Reserve and has involved Missing Person Squad officers, the dog squad, the mounted branch, search and rescue, air wing, SES, the AFP, local police and crime detectives.

Police said the investigation into the location of Murphy's body is still ongoing.

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"Since Samantha's disappearance, police have worked tirelessly to locate her. While nothing can erase their grief and loss, being able to return Samantha to her family has always been incredibly important to us," Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan said today.

"We also know that Samantha's death has had an enormous impact on the Ballarat community, as well as the wider Victorian community.

"I want to reaffirm to the community that the Missing Persons Squad remains committed to doing everything we can to locate Samantha – while a year has passed, we still believe we can locate her."

Dunstan said the search this year will now widen to the Ballarat area, including new areas tipped off from sources.

"We also ask people who may be using these areas, particularly in the Enfield State Forest, to be aware of their surroundings and if they believe they may have come across Samantha's remains to contact police immediately," he added.

"There is nothing we want more than to return Samantha to her family and we remain committed to doing this."

Anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

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