Search for Samantha Murphy after new clues ends without breakthrough

Police said they did not locate Ms Murphy. There is no search activity planned for March 21.

Ms Murphy disappeared from Ballarat after going for a run on Sunday, February 4, 2024, and despite several attempts by police and the community, her body has not been found.

Police had asked members of the public not to join in the search.

"The search will focus on an area highlighted by intelligence derived from a number of sources," a police spokesperson said.

Detective acting superintendent Mark Hatt said it followed several large searches in the Buninyong, Canadian and Ballarat East areas since her disappearance.

"Since Samantha's disappearance, extensive searches have been conducted in the Ballarat area and today we will focus on an area of bushland in Buninyong," he said.

"Hopefully today's search will benefit the investigation or provide further avenues of enquiry for police. We will also look at further searches in the Ballarat area as the investigation progresses."

Twenty two-year-old Patrick Stephenson was charged with murder over Ms Murphy's disappearance on March 6, after his arrest at a home in Scotsburn.

Police said the location of Ms Murphy's body had not been disclosed.

Stephenson will return to court on August 8, 2024.

Anyone with any information about Samantha's disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at crimestoppers.com.au.