Australia

Stephenson Pleads Not Guilty in Samantha Murphy Case as Search Moves to Enfield State Park

5:13 pm - November 26, 2025
Australia

BALLARAT: The man accused of murdering missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy has officially pleaded not guilty as the investigation focuses on finding the victim’s remains.

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, who was charged with the 51-year-old’s murder on March 7, 2024, has maintained his innocence, entering a formal not guilty plea to the charge. His case is now fast-tracked to the Victorian Supreme Court for trial.

Despite the charge, the body of Samantha Murphy, who disappeared on February 4, 2024, after leaving her Ballarat East home for a run, has yet to be located.

Police have repeatedly focused their search efforts on Enfield State Park, a sprawling bushland area. The park’s rugged terrain and disused mineshafts make the search complex and challenging .

This search zone is considered highly significant as it is only about five kilometres from the dam where the 51-year-old’s mobile phone was discovered in May. The recovery of this key piece of electronic evidence has been instrumental in focusing investigative resources on the area.

Police have stated they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the alleged murder, which they believe was an intentional act and that Stephenson was not known to the Murphy family.