Heartwarming photographs of what is believed to be Samantha Murphy’s last trip abroad with her family have emerged exactly a month after she disappeared without a trace.
The mother-of-three, 51, has not been seen since February 4, when she left her home in Ballarat East, west of Melbourne, for a quick jog.
Victorian detectives now fear the worst in what has become the force’s priority investigation.
Samantha Murphy visited a butterfly park during a trip to Bali in 2017
Samantha Murphy, her husband Mick and their children have fun in a upside down house in Bali
Daily Mail Australia can reveal Murphy enjoyed a holiday in Bali in 2017 with her husband Mick and their three children.
Dozens of images show what appeared to be a magnificent vacation, in which Murphy and his family traveled to many of the island’s iconic sites.
His guide in the forest, Pete Mahendra, told Daily Mail Australia that he remembered Murphy and his family fondly.
“They’re a good family and they care about everyone,” he said Monday.
Murphy’s disappearance shocked the Balinese guide, whose business Pete’s Tour & Transport Service is popular with Australian tourists.
“I’m very sorry to hear it,” he said. ‘It was theLast time I took them on a trip to Bali. Yo I hope they find her quickly and that she is okay.’
A stunned Mahendra said the Murphys seemed happy and calm during their time with him.
‘They were fine while they were with me in Bali. tThere were no fights here, they are a good family,’ he said.
Mahendra said he was hopeful Victoria Police would resolve the case soon.
“Let’s hope that the authorities receive clues to find her. I I hope the news is not true. Yo I hope she is still alive and well. GRAM“God bless her,” he said.
Samantha and her husband Mick Murphy in Bali
Mick and Samantha Murphy on holiday in Bali in 2017
The Murphys enjoyed an eventful day with Mr Mahendra, who took the family to see waterfalls, a butterfly park, the Ubud monkey forest and a coffee plantation.
Other photos show Murphy and his family playing in an upside-down house, riding an elephant at a local zoo and a trip to a slide park.
Other images seem to suggest moments of tension or fatigue on the couple’s faces.
The Murphys had escaped the cold Melbourne winter for an epic trip to Bali.
Daily Mail Australia revealed last month that the Murphy family had regularly spent summer holidays at a Torquay caravan park, where they enjoyed a cabin.
Ms. Murphy was noticeably absent from the traditional January holiday and disappeared shortly afterward.
Mick Murphy enjoys a beer with guide Pete Mahendra in Bali
Samantha Murphy rides an elephant during a trip to Bali in 2017
Samantha and Mick Murphy at Bali Safari and Marine Park in 2017
Her childhood friend Virginia O’Loughlan told Daily Mail Australia that Murphy missed a traditional family holiday after falling ill with Covid-19.
‘There was nothing suspicious about it. There were no family disputes. I can understand why people start thinking that, but she definitely had Covid. Another friend of ours also had Covid and they were both talking about it and when they got better they were going to catch up,” she said.
“I definitely would have been there, but I didn’t want anyone to get Covid.”
Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Murphy is involved in his wife’s mysterious disappearance, and police have not suggested any foul play.
Ms Murphy was due to meet friends for lunch at 11am on the day of her disappearance.
On the morning Ms Murphy disappeared, she was captured on her own CCTV system wearing a tan/brown t-shirt and black half-length leggings.
Ms Murphy is described as white, about 173cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair.
Anyone who sees her is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.