On February 4, 2024, Samantha Murphy disappeared in Ballarat, Australia, with her last known location near Buninyong Golf Club.

A 22-year-old man from Mount Clear, with familial ties to a former AFL player, was arrested on March 6 and charged with Murphy's murder.

The suspect, who has been granted interim name suppression over self-harm concerns, has not disclosed the location of Murphy's body.

Police assert Murphy was the target of a deliberate fatal attack on the day she vanished and continue their search, though they are not seeking other suspects.

Murphy's family remains in a state of mixed emotions, yearning for closure pending the outcome of the accused's trial scheduled for August 8.

The community plans a vigil for Murphy and authorities urge the public to contribute any information that may lead to the discovery of her body.