Police will conduct a significant search of bushland in the Buninyong area today as part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Ballarat East woman Samantha Murphy.
A range of specialist units will join Missing Persons Squad investigators including the Search and Rescue Squad, Mounted Branch, Dog Squad, Public Order Response Team and motorcyclists from Road Policing Command as well as local police from Western Region.
Today's search will be undertaken in the area of the Buninyong Bushland Reserve and will focus on trying to locate Samantha's body.
As such, police are asking that members of the public do not join today's search efforts at this time.
The search will focus on an area highlighted by intelligence derived from a number of sources.
A 22-year-old man was charged with murder on 6 March in relation to Samantha's disappearance.
He was subsequently remanded in custody to appear at Ballarat Magistrates' Court on 8 August.
The investigation remains ongoing and is focused on locating Samantha's body.
The 51-year-old was last seen leaving her Eureka Street home about 7am on Sunday, 4 February.
Today's search follows a significant investigation and extensive searches of the Canadian Forest area over the past six weeks.
These searches have also involved a range of specialist units from across Victoria Police and many local community members have also volunteered their time to assist the search.
Anyone with any information about Samantha's disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt, Crime Command:
"While someone has been charged in relation to Samantha's disappearance, we remain committed to doing everything we can to locate her and return her to her family.
"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.
"We will have a range of specialist resources involved, however as we are searching for Samantha's body, we ask that members of the public do not try and join today's search.
"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."
