A “dark cloud” is hanging over the community of a regional Victorian town following the deaths of two women in the space of two months, a criminal psychologist has said.
Residents of Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne, had already been struggling to come to terms with the alleged murder of Samantha Murphy, 51, and have now been dealt another blow following the discovery of the body of a 23-year-old woman.
The Clunes girl’s remains were discovered on Friday in a burnt-out car near State Forests Road in Scarsdale, south of Ballarat.
The identity of the person who discovered his body and the exact time of discovery are unknown, while two men, aged 21 and 22, have been arrested.
Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro said the Murphy case and the discovery of the 23-year-old’s remains would have a “profound effect” on the community.
“I imagine they are floundering,” he told WhatsNew2Day Australia.
‘The discovery of the dead woman would be very stimulating for them. On a more generic level, people are probably wondering how safe it is in that part of the world.”
Ms Murphy was last seen going for a run in Ballarat East on February 4.
His remains have not been found and on March 7, Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, was charged with Murphy’s alleged murder.
A Victoria Police spokesperson told WhatsNew2Day Australia on Monday there were no updates on the search for his remains.
Ballarat’s population is approximately 100,000, compared to Melbourne which has around 5 million residents.
“Two women who have been presumed dead in approximately the space of two months, I think these types of (alleged) crimes have a profound impact on small communities,” Watson-Munro said.
“There’s kind of a dark cloud over them.”
Residents of Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne, had already been struggling to come to terms with the alleged murder of 51-year-old Samantha Murphy.
The body of a 23-year-old woman was found near a forestry trail in south Ballarat, prompting the arrest of two men.
Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, was charged with the alleged murder of Ms Murphy.
A Victoria Police spokesperson told WhatsNew2Day Australia on Monday there are no updates on the search for Samantha Murphy’s remains.
The expert said while news of the 23-year-old’s death would likely trigger some “negative emotions” in Ballarat residents, it is hoped it could also motivate people to remember Murphy’s disappearance and potentially recall any information important that they can transmit. to the police.
Police launched a new search for Ms Murphy around Buninyong Bushland Reserve late last month but called it off after just six hours.
It comes after Ms Murphy’s heartbroken husband Michael said he was still hopeful her body would be found.
The mother of three would have turned 52 on Easter Saturday, a milestone her family had to mark without her.
“It was Sam’s first birthday without… That’s a hard thing, but we have to face reality and realize that she’s just not coming back,” Murphy told the Herald of the sun.
He still searches for his wife’s body every day, while he and his family wait in hope for any news from the police.
Murphy said he misses his wife all the time, but tries to keep his spirits up, saying, “I need to be strong and take care of everyone around me.”
Michael Murphy (pictured) still has faith that his beloved wife Samantha’s body will be found, as the heartbroken family passed a major milestone last weekend.
Ms Murphy was last seen on CCTV in the driveway of her Ballarat East home when she went for a run at Woowookarung Regional Park two months ago.
When she didn’t return at the expected time and the family couldn’t contact her, they called the police.
An exhaustive search followed, with professionals and volunteers combing a large area of bushland.
But they couldn’t find her and the only major breakthrough was Stephenson’s arrest on March 6.
A distraught Mr Murphy has been unable to return to work since his wife disappeared.
But he said he can still laugh and smile sometimes, despite the endless trauma he and his family have been going through since Ms. Murphy disappeared.
A local group, the Ground Crew, are also searching for her, keeping in touch with the police and SES, and taking care not to disturb any potential evidence they may find.