In a powerful and emotional resurgence of one of Australia’s most haunting missing persons cases, the disappearance of beloved Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy has flared up dramatically nearly three years after she vanished while on her regular morning jog, with her daughter Jess Murphy breaking her silence to declare: “I will not stop until justice is served” and issuing a chilling demand that the accused “must pay the price before the law”.

The case, which has gripped the nation since February 2024, has seen renewed intensity as the countdown to the Supreme Court trial of Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, the man charged with Samantha’s murder, draws closer. With the trial now firmly set for April 8, 2026, in Ballarat, fresh details about Samantha’s final hours, the “unprecedented” volume of evidence against the accused, and the family’s unyielding fight for closure have resurfaced, reigniting public anguish and calls for answers in the regional Victorian city.

Samantha Murphy, a vibrant 51-year-old mother of three, kissed her family goodbye on the sunny morning of Sunday, February 4, 2024, and headed out for her usual trail run through the scenic Canadian State Forest on the outskirts of Ballarat. She never came home. Her wallet and mobile phone were later found near a dam, but her body has never been recovered despite exhaustive searches spanning bushland, state parks and rural properties.

Now, as the third anniversary of her disappearance looms, the case has flared up once more. Jess Murphy, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent months while supporting her grieving family, has spoken out with raw determination. In heartfelt statements shared through family channels and media, she has vowed not to rest until the truth emerges and justice is delivered for her mother.

“He must pay the price before the law,” sources close to the family report Jess declaring, capturing the steely resolve of a daughter who has transformed unimaginable pain into a relentless campaign for accountability. “I will not stop until justice is served,” she has added, her words echoing the heartbreak of a family still waiting for the chance to lay their beloved mother to rest.

The Ordinary Morning That Became a National Nightmare

Samantha was the warm, smiling heart of her family — a dedicated mum, wife and volunteer at St Francis Xavier Primary School, where she helped in the uniform shop. Locals described her as the kind of woman who always had a kind word and lit up any room she entered. Her regular runs through the Canadian State Forest were a cherished part of her routine, a time to clear her mind and stay active in the beautiful bushland she loved.

On that fateful February morning, she set off around 7am for what should have been a familiar 14km loop. When she failed to return, her worried family raised the alarm. What followed was one of the largest search operations in Victorian history: hundreds of volunteers, police, helicopters, drones, cadaver dogs and specialist teams combed dense forests, trails and surrounding areas.

Early hopes faded quickly. A child’s footprint or other minor clues briefly raised spirits, but no definitive trace of Samantha emerged in those critical first days and weeks. Then, on March 6, 2024, came the arrest that shocked the tight-knit Ballarat community: Patrick Orren Stephenson, a 22-year-old (now 23) from nearby Scotsburn, was taken into custody and later charged with murder.

Stephenson, the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, pleaded not guilty. His case was fast-tracked to the Supreme Court after he waived a full committal hearing, a move that surprised some observers and signalled his defence team’s confidence in contesting the charges head-on. He has remained in custody ever since.

Fresh Details and the “Unprecedented” Evidence Mountain

As the April 2026 trial date approaches, new details about the investigation have continued to surface, painting a picture of a meticulously built prosecution case described in court as “unprecedented” in its scale.

The brief of evidence is said to include vast amounts of CCTV footage from the Ballarat region, digital forensic analysis, phone data records, and expert testimony expected from road crash reconstruction specialists, DNA experts and digital forensics professionals. Prosecutors have requested significant time to review the material, with court hearings revealing the sheer volume has caused delays in proceedings.

Samantha’s personal items — her wallet containing ID cards and her mobile phone — were discovered in May 2024 during a targeted search near a dam on a property close to Durham Lead, roughly 20 kilometres south of Ballarat. The phone was reportedly found in near-perfect condition despite exposure to the elements, sparking intense forensic examination.

Police have conducted multiple searches of bushland linked to the case, including taking Stephenson under heavy guard to areas such as the Canadian State Forest and Enfield State Park in late 2025. These escorted visits, reportedly aimed at eliciting information or corroborating evidence, have not yet led to the discovery of Samantha’s remains. Stephenson is said not to be cooperating regarding the location of her body.

In November 2025, detectives launched a fresh “targeted search” in Enfield State Park, about 25-30 kilometres south of Ballarat, acting on new intelligence. Specialist officers, SES volunteers and cadaver dogs scoured the dense, mine-riddled terrain for several days, but again came up empty-handed. Police have vowed to continue searches throughout 2026, insisting they remain committed to locating Samantha and bringing closure to her family.

Jess Murphy’s Heartbreaking Journey: From Tearful Pleas to Fiery Determination

In the raw early days after her mother’s disappearance, Jess Murphy became the public face of the family’s anguish. Fighting back tears in front of cameras, she read emotional statements pleading for information and begging her mother to “come home”. Her father placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as she struggled to speak, a gut-wrenching moment that moved the nation.

Those early pleas captured a family’s desperate hope that Samantha might still be found alive. As weeks turned into months and then years, that hope has hardened into a fierce demand for justice.

Now, nearly three years on, Jess has re-emerged with a more resolute tone. “I will not stop until justice is served,” she has declared, according to family sources and circulating reports. Her words carry the weight of prolonged suffering — the birthdays missed, the family milestones without their mother, the empty chair at the dinner table.

Friends and supporters describe Jess as her mother’s daughter: strong, compassionate and unwilling to let Samantha’s memory fade. She has continued sharing her mum’s smiling photos on social media, keeping her face visible and urging the public not to forget. The family’s pain is compounded by the fact that, without a body, they cannot hold a proper funeral or say a final goodbye.

Samantha’s husband has also spoken sparingly but poignantly in the past, expressing disbelief that his wife could simply “vanish into thin air”. The family has largely tried to maintain privacy in recent times while the legal process unfolds, but Jess’s recent statements signal they are preparing for the emotional rigours of the upcoming trial.

The Accused: A Local Connection That Raised Eyebrows

Patrick Orren Stephenson lived in the Scotsburn area, not far from where some of Samantha’s items were recovered. Early reports noted a tenuous link through the primary school where Samantha volunteered — Stephenson had reportedly attended as a child — though police initially emphasised the pair were not known to each other.

The hypothesis, according to some reports, is that the alleged murder occurred near Mount Clear. Details of any possible motive or prior interaction remain suppressed or untested in open court, as is standard to ensure a fair trial.

Stephenson has faced additional scrutiny in court mentions, with reports of past incidents including a road crash where he was allegedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol. His defence team maintains his innocence on the murder charge and will vigorously contest every piece of circumstantial evidence.

The trial, expected to last around six weeks in the Ballarat Supreme Court, is set to be one of the most closely watched cases in regional Victoria. Expert witnesses will take centre stage, with road experts potentially analysing vehicle movements, digital forensics specialists dissecting phone and device data, and DNA evidence playing a potentially pivotal role.

A Community Still Searching for Answers and Closure

Ballarat, a city with a strong sense of community spirit, has been profoundly shaken by Samantha’s disappearance. Vigils have been held on anniversaries, volunteers have joined repeated searches, and local Facebook groups remain active with shared memories and calls for information.

The Canadian State Forest, once a peaceful haven for runners and nature lovers, now carries a darker association for many. Residents speak of the unease that lingers when walking familiar trails, a stark reminder of how quickly safety can feel fragile.

Despite the passage of time — more than 780 days since that February morning — police from the Missing Persons and Homicide squads insist the investigation remains active. They continue to review tips and explore new leads, even as the court process advances.

The absence of Samantha’s remains adds a particularly cruel layer to the family’s grief. In Australian law, a murder conviction can stand on strong circumstantial evidence without a body, but the lack of physical recovery prolongs the emotional torment for loved ones.

What Lies Ahead: The Road to Trial and Beyond

With the Supreme Court trial looming on April 8, 2026, both sides are preparing intensely. Pre-trial arguments were expected in late 2025, and the “huge amount” of material means legal teams on both sides face a mammoth task in presenting and challenging the evidence.

For the Murphy family, the coming months will be incredibly difficult. Sitting through graphic details, cross-examinations and the retelling of Samantha’s final known movements will test their resilience. Yet Jess’s public vow suggests they are ready to face it head-on in pursuit of accountability.

“He must pay the price before the law,” her words resonate as a rallying cry not just for her mother, but for all families who have lost loved ones to violence and waited years for answers.

The broader Australian public continues to watch with a mix of sorrow and anticipation. Samantha’s smiling face — captured in countless family photos showing a happy, energetic mum surrounded by her children — remains a powerful symbol of lives interrupted too soon.

As the legal machinery moves toward its climax, searches in the Ballarat bushland are likely to persist. Police have reaffirmed their commitment: “We still believe we can locate her.”

In the end, this case is about more than one missing mother. It is about a community’s resilience, a family’s unbreakable bond, and the pursuit of justice in the face of unimaginable loss.

Samantha Murphy went for a run one ordinary Sunday morning and stepped into eternity. Nearly three years later, her daughter Jess stands as a testament to love that refuses to fade and a demand that the truth must prevail.

“He must pay the price before the law.” Those five words from a grieving daughter may well echo through the Ballarat courtroom when justice finally has its day.

Anyone with information about Samantha Murphy’s disappearance is urged to contact Victoria Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Tips can be provided anonymously.