A desperate search is underway for 51-year-old Australian Samantha Murphy, a mother of three living in Ballarat East, Victoria, which is about 60 miles north of Melbourne.
Murphy went missing after heading out for her routine run on Sunday morning.
The disappearance has sparked concerns among family, friends, and authorities, especially given the extreme heatwave conditions prevalent in the region.
Murphy was last seen leaving her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat East at approximately 7 a.m. on Sunday, intending to cover a 20-kilometer route through the Canadian State Forest.
Local police expressed concerns about Murphy’s well-being due to the hot weather conditions on that day, emphasizing the urgency of the search.
Authorities were alerted when Murphy failed to return home, and a comprehensive search operation was launched in collaboration with the State Emergency Service, Search and Rescue teams, and the mounted police branch.
The search area has been established both near Murphy’s residence and just outside the suburb of Buninyong, approximately eight miles from where she was last seen.
Data from Murphy’s phone, which she had with her during the run, indicated a ping near a local golf club, providing a focus for the ongoing search efforts. However, inquiries are ongoing to determine whether the phone is still operational.
Murphy, known for her daily runs, is familiar with the Canadian State Forest and surrounding urban areas, according to her family. Despite not being completely remote, the search area presents challenges due to its outskirts location and proximity to urban spaces.
Police say that the search will continue until at least Monday night, with authorities assessing the risk and safety of continuing beyond that point.
Concerns about Murphy’s welfare are heightened as there is uncertainty regarding whether she had food and water with her during Sunday’s extreme temperatures.
Murphy’s disappearance is described as highly unusual, leaving her family upset and concerned.
She is a Caucasian woman, approximately 173 cm tall (5’8″), with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing black half-length leggings and a maroon/brown singlet.
Authorities urge anyone who may have seen Samantha Murphy or has information about her whereabouts to contact the Ballarat East Police Station at (03) 5336 6000 immediately.
