Deepening mystery of missing Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy enters its second week


Samantha Murphy left home to go for a run on February 4 and hasn't been seen since. Photo: AAP
Investigators are pinning their hopes on the public as the anguished family of missing Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy hopes and prays for her safe return
As the mystery enters its second week, detectives are asking people with February 4 dashcam or CCTV footage of the Ballarat East, Buninyong and Mount Helen areas to come forward.
The 51-year-old mother of three left home that morning to go jogging and has not been seen since.
Police are keen to review footage from the three suburbs even if it does not show Ms Murphy.
Police on Saturday said there were no sinister factors about Ms Murphy’s disappearance but there were significant concerns for her wellbeing.
Official searches of areas such as parts of the Canadian State Forest have been paused until there is new information.
No clues, no trace
The tiny town of Buninyong, about 11km south of Ballarat, has been combed by SES volunteers. Police said they remain in regular contact with the Murphy family about the investigation.
Ms Murphy regularly jogged about 14-15km through nearby remote areas.
She left her Eureka St, Ballarat East, home at 7am the day she disappeared.
CCTV footage from the family home shows her about to depart.
Police have been working with telecommunications workers to try and identify her route, given she carried a smart watch and phone.
Ms Murphy has been described as a physically and mentally strong woman.
She and husband Michael run a car repair business called Inland Motor Body Works at Delacombe, a few suburbs from their home.
Anyone with information about Ms Murphy’s disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
-AAP