Samantha Murphy search: Victoria Police call off newest search for body in Grenville
In a devastating update for the family of missing mum Samantha Murphy, the latest search for her body has failed to turn up anything of interest and has been called off.
State and federal police faced wet conditions on Tuesday as they began a new search in Grenville, south of Ballarat, which wrapped up on Thursday.
The 51-year-old was last seen alive when she went for a run on the morning of February 4.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.In March, police charged 23-year-old tradesman Patrick Orren Stephenson with Ms Murphy’s murder.
The most recent search remains focused on the Enfield State Forest at Grenville.
It was not the same area that police searched earlier this year.
The location is approximately a 15-minute drive from Buninyong, where Ms Murphy’s phone was found buried in the mud on the edge of an agricultural dam in May.
“Police have concluded their current search of the Enfield State Forest and no items of interest were located,” a police spokesperson said.
“The investigation remains ongoing and is focused on locating Samantha’s body.
“We are not in a position to supply further specific details of operational activity at this time.”
Ms Murphy’s disappearance led to an outpouring of grief in the Ballarat community and the nation, with an influx of volunteers joining multiple earlier searches.
Stephen is due to next face court in November after prosecutors asked for a delay to go through an extensive evidence brief including reams of CCTV footage.
He is the son of Orren Stephenson, who played 15 AFL games for Geelong and Richmond between 2012 and 2014.
- With AAP
