Suppression order lifted for Samantha Murphy's alleged killer
Detectives investigating the alleged murder of missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy have seized the ute of an accused killer.
Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, faced Ballarat Magistrates Court this morning, where an interim suppression order that prevented the publication of his name, address, and date of birth was lifted.
Murphy was last seen leaving her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat East, about 7am on Sunday, February 4, to go for a run in the Canadian State Forest.
READ MORE: How the investigation into the disappearance of Samantha Murphy unfolded
An interim suppression order preventing publication of Patrick Orren Stephenson's name was lifted on Friday morning. Nine / Supplied
Police allege Stephenson killed Murphy that day at Mount Clear.
Stephenson, the son of former Geelong and Richmond player Orren Stephenson, is not believed to have known Murphy or her family.
The 22-year-old was arrested on Wednesday morning at a home in Scotsburn, 16 kilometres from Ballarat.
9News understands the electrician was house-sitting with his girlfriend at the time of his arrest.
He was charged with murder yesterday afternoon.
It's understood police seized Stephenson's white ute on the day of his arrest.
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Police have seized a white ute. Nine
Patrick Stephenson was arrested at a home in Scotsburn. 9News
Suppression lifted
Stephenson's identity was suppressed by Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz yesterday, after his defence lawyer David Tamanika's application for a temporary suppression order was granted.
Tamanika claimed his client was at risk of self-harm.
The magistrate cited Stephenson's entitlement to a "fair trial", and noted the case had high media and community interest.
"It will continue to be a high-profile matter," Mykytowycz told the court.
The suppression hearing was not due to return to court until April, but Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan intervened and brought it forward to this morning.
Stephenson was brought into the Ballarat court for the hearing, dressed in a plain grey sweatshirt.
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Samantha Murphy with husband Mick. Nine
This morning, Tamanika withdrew his original application to keep Stephenson's details secret.
"As the current media storm has now become inclusive of the family of the accused ... the defence's intention to assist has only become far more destructive, my client has instructed me to withdraw the application," he said.
He accused the media of using the case as a "yardstick for procedural impropriety" in its reporting of the suppression.
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Samantha Murphy was last seen going for a run on February 4. Under Investigation
Investigation ongoing
Police are continuing to look for the remains of Murphy, who is yet to be found.
Today marks the birthday of Samantha Murphy's husband Mick. He told 9News today that his only wish was to find his wife.
Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton described the alleged murder as "a deliberate act".
"The investigation is far from over. We're doing everything we can to find her body," Patton said.
"For the family, it's absolutely vital, and it's something we'll be focusing on.
Police are also not looking for anybody else in connection with the disappearance.
Stephenson will next return to court for a committal mention on August 8.
- Reported with AAP
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