Police 'very doubtful' missing Ballarat mother is still alive

Up to 30 police will be out in Mount Clear today searching for Ms Murphy, as they reveal more information in the hunt for the mother-of-three.

The search will involve staff from Victoria Police's missing persons squad, other investigators and other specialist search and resources.

Detective Acting Superintentdent Mark Hatt they would be looking for anything that may give them evidence as to what may have happened in that area on the day.

"I can confirm that we have identified that Samantha did leave home on the morning of the fourth of February 2024 at just after 7am," he said.

"We believe she then traveled on foot into the Canadian State Forest where she embarked on a run for a period of time and made her way to the Mount Clear area."

He said they were pursuing all leads in the investigation including speaking to people who knew Samantha Murphy and looking to the family's financials.

He said they would also be looking into the financials of the family's panel beating business, Inland Motor Body Works in Delacombe.

Police say they knew Ms Murphy left her home to go for a run, of her own accord and did not have a medical episode. They are looking into a number of people of interest.

Det Act Supt Hatt said Ms Murphy's husband Mick was not a suspect but confirmed he was a person of interest.

He said anyone who knew Ms Murphy are considered people of interest in the investigation.

He said the Ballarat community had been "absolutely fantastic" in their search and cooperation of the investigation.

Detectives investigating the suspicious disappearance of Ballarat East woman Samantha Murphy will lead "a targeted search" of the Mount Clear area on Friday, following a lead that has come from mobile phone data.

Ms Murphy, 51, was last seen leaving her property on Eureka Street to go for a run, about 7am on Sunday, February 4, 2024, but failed to return home.

"This extensive search will involve a significant number of detectives from across Crime Command and other specialist commands, as well as local police," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

"They will focus on an area highlighted by intelligence derived from phone data.

"Extensive searches have been conducted throughout the Canadian Forest area since Samantha's disappearance almost three weeks ago, however no trace of her has been located at this time."

Samantha was known to regularly run through the Canadian Forest area.

"The Missing Persons Squad has primacy of the investigation and that team has been further expanded with experienced detectives from a number of units across Crime Command and other specialist areas," the spokesperson said.

Investigators are reviewing about 12,000 hours of CCTV footage and following up over 500 separate pieces of information.

Residents in Ballarat East and Mount Helen are again being asked to check CCTV for any possible sightings over the past three weeks, particularly around the Canadian Forest.

People travelling through the area, particularly between 7am and 7pm on Sunday 4 February, who may have dash-cam footage are also urged to also check.

"We are keeping an open mind, but believe the most likely scenario is that her disappearance involves one or more parties," Crime Command Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt said.

"Given the extensive and detailed search that has already been undertaken, and the fact no sign of Samantha or her personal belongings has been located, we have ruled out any type of medical incident.

"There is also nothing to indicate that Samantha left the area of her own accord.

"... It's important that people continue to avoid unnecessary and unhelpful speculation because we don't want that to detract from the genuine investigation or potentially prevent anyone coming forward with information because they have a misconception about what has happened to Samantha.

"Police remain open to any and all possibilities, so if you know something or have seen something, then we want to hear from you."

It comes as Ms Murphy's husband, Mick Murphy, has spoken out, thanking the public for their support.

In comments shared with ACM's The Courier, Mick Murphy said his family all missed her.

"I'm just blown away with the public support to keep on looking for Sam," he said.

"The amount of hours that people have given to the search is unbelievable."

Community members have also organised a search effort for Saturday February 24.

The group is meeting at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Garden at 10am and will be joined by bushcraft teacher Jack Cassar.

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

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

Anyone who sights Samantha is urged to contact triple zero (000) immediately.

Anyone with any other information about her current whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au