Police launch targeted search for Victorian mum Samantha Murphy after phone data lead - 9News

The disappearance of missing Victorian woman Samantha Murphy is 'most likely' to have involved "one or more parties", as police launch a targeted search almost three weeks after she vanished.

Murphy, 51, was last seen leaving her home on Eureka Street, Ballarat East, at about 7am on Sunday, February 4, to go for a run.

Police conducted multiple searches in the Canadian Forest region, without finding a trace of her.

Samantha Murphy has been missing for almost three weeks in Victoria. (Supplied)

The new search will focus on an area in the Mount Clear region, which has been highlighted by intelligence derived from phone data, police said.

Police have started treating her disappearance as suspicious due to the length of her absence and given no sign of her has been found.

"We are keeping an open mind, but believe the most likely scenario is that her disappearance involves one or more parties," Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt said.

Police now suspect others were involved in Murphy's disappearance. (Victoria Police)

"Given the extensive and detailed search that has already been undertaken, and the fact no sign of Samantha or her personal belongings has been located, we have ruled out any type of medical incident."

However, he urged people to avoid "unnecessary and unhelpful speculation".

Investigators are also reviewing about 12,000 hours of CCTV footage and following up more than 500 separate pieces of information.

They continue to ask everyone in the Ballarat East and Mount Helen areas, particularly around the Canadian Forest, to check their CCTV for any possible sightings over the past three weeks.

Many searches have been carried out. (Nine)

Detectives are also urging anyone travelling through the area, particularly between 7am and 7pm on February 4, who may have dash-cam footage, to also check this for possible sightings.

A number of items have been located during the search for Murphy, however these have since been assessed and at this time are not believed to be related to her disappearance.

There is also no evidence to suggest Murphy's disappearance is linked to any other incidents in the area at this time.

But there is significant concern for her welfare.

Murphy is described as Caucasian, about 173cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair.

She was last seen wearing black half-length leggings and a maroon/brown singlet.

Anybody who sees her is urged to call Triple Zero, while anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.

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2024-02-22 20:32:52Z
CBMikgFodHRwczovL3d3dy45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvc2FtYW50aGEtbXVycGh5LW1pc3NpbmctbXVtLXZpY3RvcmlhLW5ldy1wb2xpY2UtdGFyZ2V0ZWQtc2VhcmNoLW1vdW50LWNsZWFyL2NkMTE0M2E2LTg0ZTItNGExMC04ZDIxLTNmODZjZGUyODQyYdIBRWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLjluZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9hcnRpY2xlL2NkMTE0M2E2LTg0ZTItNGExMC04ZDIxLTNmODZjZGUyODQyYQ

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