KEY POINTS
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* Samantha Murphy, a 51-year-old Ballarat woman and mother of three, was last seen leaving her home on February 4 to go for a run
* A 22-year-old Ballarat man was arrested over Ms Murphy's disappearance early on Wednesday morning
* He was charged with one count of murder on Thursday and appeared before Ballarat Magistrates Court
* Police say the man is not linked to the Murphy family
* No trace has been found of Ms Murphy, despite weeks of extensive searches by emergency services and concerned community members
WHO IS SAMANTHA MURPHY?
* She is married to Michael Murphy and the couple run a car repair business near their Ballarat East home
* Ms Murphy has been described as a caring friend, a valued Ballarat community member and a dedicated mother
* Her eldest daughter Jess described her as a "really strong woman" during a press conference
* She is physically strong and had been training for an upcoming race by doing 15km runs
ARREST INFORMATION
* The man was arrested at his Scotsburn home about 6am on Wednesday
* Charged with one count of murder on Thursday
* Police said the killing was a "deliberate attack on Samantha" but would not say how she died
* The investigation is ongoing and police are calling for information from the public
* Police did not confirm if the accused was co-operating with the investigation
MS MURPHY'S DISAPPEARANCE
* She left her Eureka Street home in Ballarat East to go for a run about 7am on February 4, 2024
* Officers do not know the exact route Ms Murphy took on her run
* Her family members reported her missing that morning
* She was last seen wearing black half-length leggings and a maroon or brown singlet
* She had her smart watch and phone when she left her home
* Police believe Ms Murphy was killed on the day she disappeared; her body has not been found
* Chief Commissioner Shane Patton did not reveal what led police to the accused man
SEARCH DETAILS
* Members of Victoria Police, the State Emergency Service, the Country Fire Authority and concerned locals scoured the greater Ballarat area for several weeks
* Areas of focus have included Ballarat East, the Canadian Forest and Mount Helen
* Search areas include dense forest, private land and walking tracks.
Australian Associated Press
