Renewed Search for Missing Victorian Mother Samantha Murphy as New Intelligence Points Police to Enfield State Park

Victoria Police have launched a renewed and “highly targeted” search for missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy, following fresh intelligence that has directed investigators toward the rugged bushland of Enfield State Park. The 51-year-old mother of three vanished nearly a year ago after leaving home for a routine morning run, and despite multiple large-scale searches and a homicide charge laid earlier this year, her body has not been found.

Murphy was last seen on the morning of February 4, 2024, when she set out for a jog in the Canadian State Forest near Ballarat. When she did not return home, family members raised the alarm, sparking an intensive search effort involving police, SES volunteers, specialist units, drones, mounted officers, and local residents. For weeks, search teams scoured dense forest, bushland tracks, water systems, and abandoned mine areas known to pose significant risks.

In March 2024, police charged 23-year-old tradesman Patrick Orren Stephenson with Murphy’s murder. The charge was laid after an extensive investigation by the Missing Persons Squad, though police made clear at the time that the search for Murphy’s remains would continue separately. Stephenson is currently before the courts, and police have released minimal information about the evidence underpinning the murder charge.

Despite the arrest, the disappearance of Murphy has continued to haunt the Ballarat community and the state more broadly. Police have repeatedly emphasised their commitment to providing closure for the Murphy family, stressing that locating her body remains a critical priority.

Over the past year, investigators have conducted a series of wide-ranging searches across several locations. These include the Canadian State Forest — where Murphy began her run — as well as the Buninyong Bushland Reserve, where various items of interest were assessed.

A key development occurred when Murphy’s mobile phone was located partially buried in mud near an agricultural dam in Buninyong, around a 15-minute drive from the family home. Specialist forensic teams examined the device, though police have not disclosed its contents or condition. The discovery nonetheless shifted the search perimeter, prompting additional operations in the surrounding terrain.

The most recent large-scale land search took place in September 2024, when officers concentrated their efforts on Enfield State Forest, approximately 30 kilometres south of Ballarat. At the time, police described the area as “challenging and potentially hazardous,” given its history of gold mining and the presence of unstable ground, deep mine shafts, and overgrown terrain.

This week, Victoria Police confirmed that investigators had returned to Enfield State Park after receiving new intelligence. Although details of the information have not been made public, police characterised the renewed search as “targeted,” suggesting that the operation is informed by specific evidence or leads rather than general exploration.

“Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad are undertaking a targeted search in the Ballarat area as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Samantha Murphy,” Victoria Police said in a statement issued Wednesday. Officers have urged members of the public to avoid the search zone, citing both safety risks and the need to preserve operational integrity.

“Given the nature of the terrain, including numerous dangerous mine shafts, we strongly advise the community not to attempt to access the search area,” the statement continued. Police have also requested that the public refrain from independently searching the bushland, as interference could unintentionally compromise evidence or endanger volunteers.

The renewed operation has reignited public interest and emotion across Victoria. Many local residents have expressed hope that the new search may finally uncover answers in the long-running case. Community members have continued to hold vigils and gatherings throughout the year, reinforcing their support for the Murphy family and their determination to see the investigation reach a conclusive outcome.

Murphy’s disappearance has also prompted broader conversations about public safety in remote bushland areas and the need for improved search capabilities in regions marked by historical mining activity. Authorities have reiterated the inherent dangers such terrain poses, noting that even trained experts must exercise extreme caution.

As detectives continue their painstaking work within the Enfield search zone, police say they remain fully committed to finding Murphy and delivering closure to her loved ones. While they have not provided a timeline for the operation or disclosed the nature of the new intelligence, they have assured the public that every lead is being pursued with diligence and care.

For now, the Ballarat community watches and waits — hopeful that the renewed search, guided by fresh information, may finally bring answers in the disappearance of Samantha Murphy.