Residents of Ballarat are still searching for Samantha Murphy on their own, even after police said that the ground search would be reduced.
Murphy, 51, was last observed on Sunday morning heading for a run in the Canadian State Forest from her residence on Eureka Street in Ballarat East.She had on brown leggings and a maroon singlet.
Kevan Richards, a resident of Ballarat, has documented the abandoned shafts and gold mines surrounding the former gold rush city in great detail.
Richards stated, “Some of the shafts are almost a thousand meters deep.”
Although the precise number of mine shafts is unknown, Richards estimates that there are likely ten times as many as those that have actually been mapped.
“An extensive six-day search has been conducted involving local police, along with personnel from the Search and Rescue Squad, Mounted Branch and Dog Squad, plus significant assistance from members of the SES and CFA,” Victoria Police stated in a statement.
“Police keep in constant communication with Samantha’s family about the progress of the investigation and the evolution of the search.
“The investigative stage of the investigation continues and as any new information comes to hand identifying areas of interest, the search will be scaled up.”
Police asked residents in Ballarat East, Mount Helen, and Buninyong earlier today to turn in dashcam and CCTV evidence.
Victoria Police released a statement saying, “Even if the footage does not depict Samantha, detectives are keen to review all footage in the areas between 7am and 7pm on Sunday, February 4.”
It was announced yesterday that Murphy’s disappearance on Sunday, February 4, would be investigated by the specialized Missing Persons Squad.
The last time the mother’s phone was ping-ed was at a Buninyong region telecommunications tower, approximately 11 kilometers south of her residence.
Over the past six days, police have requested homeowners in the Ballarat East and Mount Helen areas—especially those near the Canadian Forest—to review their CCTV for any possible sightings.
Investigators are also asking anyone who may have dash-cam footage from Sunday, February 4 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to check it for potential sightings.
According to investigators, there are no unusual circumstances surrounding Murphy’s disappearance.
Last week, her husband and daughter made a heartfelt plea to the neighborhood.
Murphy’s daughter Jess stated, “Mum’s a really strong woman and she’s far too determined to give up this fight.” “I know she’s out there somewhere.”
