Police are conducting a search of bushland in the Buninyong area today, as part of the investigation into Samantha Murphy’s disappearance.
Specialist police units will join investigators from the Missing Person Squad as they search the Buninyong Bushland Reserve area, with a focus on trying to locate Samantha’s body.
The search is focusing on an area highlighted from information gathered from several sources.
Police are asking members of the public to not join today’s search efforts.
Ms. Murphy was last seen leaving her Ballarat East home on the morning of February 4th.
22-year-old Ballarat local, Patrick Orren Stephenson, was charged with her murder on March 6th.
In a statement, Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt said hopefully the search today will benefit the investigation or provide further avenues of enquiry for police.