Grim update on search for Samantha Murphy’s body, as alleged killer spends fourth night behind bars

The alleged killer of Victorian mother Samantha Murphy has not revealed where her body is after spending his fourth night behind bars.

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, has reserved the right to remain silent since he was charged with Murphy’s murder last Thursday.

Stephenson is understood to have repeatedly refused to co-operate with police and has given no indication as to where Ms Murphy’s remains might be, the Sunday Herald Sun reports.

Stephenson was arrested in Scotsburn, about 17 kilometers from Murphy’s home, last Wednesday and was charged with murdering the 51-year-old woman the next day.

Sunday marks five weeks since Ms Murphy left her Eureka St home for a run at 7am on February 4, the same day Stephenson is accused of killing her.

Her family remains desperate for closure and her husband, Mick Murphy, pleaded with Stephenson on Friday to cooperate with police.

“We hope he changes his mind a little and cooperates.” That will help bring her home,’ she said.

“We would just like to have more answers now.”

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton confirmed on Thursday that Stephenson had not revealed the location of Ms Murphy’s body.

It’s unclear what specific evidence led police to Stephenson’s arrest.

However, it is understood a large part of Victoria Police’s investigation was CCTV footage from around East Ballarat.

Officers recently obtained video of a residential and light industrial area with homes and businesses on Elsworth, Joseph and Butt streets, confirming police requested their security footage.

Elsworth St leads to a bushland managed by Parks Victoria.

It is not known if any of the images obtained show Ms. Murphy or any vehicle of interest.

Officers also searched the area, which includes car sales businesses, roll-up doors and gyms.

However, Commissioner Patton revealed that police would not continue planned searches over the weekend unless the location of Ms Murphy’s remains were discovered by other means.

Dedicated volunteers have scoured Ballarat bushland for five weeks but have found no trace of the missing mother.

Residents said they saw officers at a house on Yendon No. 2 Rd, in Scotsburn, about 6.30am on Wednesday, the time Stephenson was arrested.

A neighbor said officers confiscated the 22-year-old’s vehicle, a white SUV.

The car is reportedly being examined by specialist officers.