NEW TWIST IN SAMANTHA MURPHY CASE: Victoria Police have now confirmed a fresh search operation in Ballarat — and it all ties back to a chilling discovery from last June, when Samantha’s iPhone, credit cards and driver’s licence were found sealed inside a teal-blue box at the bottom of a Buninyong dam. Investigators say this “buried container” is now central to their latest strategy… and what they uncovered beside the box has pushed the search into a new phase

Victoria Police reveal new search for allegedly murdered Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy

Police in Victoria have launched a new search for allegedly murdered mum Samantha Murphy in a dramatic development ahead of the trial of her alleged killer.

A police spokesperson confirmed to The Nightly that detectives from the missing persons squad undertook a “targeted search in the Ballarat area today”.

“Since February 2024, police have regularly undertaken a range of enquiries and small-scale searches as part of the current investigation,” they said.

“We are not in a position to supply further specific details of today’s operational activity at this time.”

9News reported that the search was focused on the Enfield State Park area, south of Ballarat.

The police spokesperson said they could not confirm the location but asked “that members of the public do not attend the search at this time”.

Mrs Murphy was last seen alive when she went for a run on the morning of February 4, 2024.

The 51-year-old mother has not been seen since that day.

In March 2024, police charged 23-year-old tradesman Patrick Orren Stephenson with Mrs Murphy’s murder.

Police have previously searched sections of the Enfield State Park, including in September 2024.

Officers have also searched Canadian State Forest and Buninyong Bushland Reserve in their desperate attempts to find Mrs Murphy.

In June last year, Ms Murphy’s iPhone, credit cards and driver’s license were recovered in a teal case from the bottom of a dam in Buninyong.

According to police, her phone was in near-perfect condition when it was found.

A trial date has been set for Mr Stephenson, who is due to face court on April 8 next year. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder.

The trial is expected to last six weeks.

“As the matter is currently before the court, we are not in a position to comment further about the investigation,” the police spokesperson said.