Samantha Murphy missing: Australians are stunned that police have all but given up on the search for missing mother
Neighbors and locals are questioning why the massive hunt for missing mother Samantha Murphy has been scaled back less than a week after her disappearance.
The beloved mother of three was last seen leaving her Eureka St home in Victoria's Ballarat East about 7am on Sunday to go for a run in a nearby forest.
But as the search for her entered its seventh day on Saturday, Victoria Police suddenly confirmed the operation to find her had been scaled down.
Hundreds of officers and concerned locals have organized an intensive hunt in the surrounding countryside, including Mount Helen, Canadian Forest and Buninyong.
Volunteers from the Country Fire Authority and the State Emergency Service were also part of the search but were officially withdrawn from 5pm on Friday.
The move comes after detectives from the Victoria Police Missing Persons Squad took charge of the investigation.
Despite the official decision to scale back activities, locals were still searching properties and forest trails on Friday and Saturday for signs of Ms Murphy.
Samantha Murphy went missing after going jogging in Victoria's Central Highlands a week ago
Locals searched dense bushland for Ms Murphy on Saturday. Police advised locals not to venture into the bush alone and to team up with a friend in the rugged terrain as searches are scaled back
“It's a bit disappointing that it's already being phased out,” one man said.
“I mean, she could still be alive out there. It wasn't that long ago.'
Locals joined people from across the country and abroad in praying that Mrs Murphy is found safe and well.
“I hope she is found safe and sound in the coming days, especially in this hot weather,” one person said.
'I really hope the family gets answers soon. Just heartbreaking,” said another.
But others have expressed frustration that the search was halted after just seven days, pointing out that the area is known for abandoned mine shafts.
'May I ask why the Missing Persons Unit didn't take over sooner? They seem to have more resources,” one person said.
'Why had it taken so damn long, they should have taken action on it straight away. The phone doesn't ping when it's underground,” said another.
Commentators on social media have questioned why the search was 'scaled back' after seven days, just as the missing persons squad was brought on board
Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina was also critical of the fact that the missing persons squad only became involved on Friday.
“I would have expected the missing persons (crew) to have been on the ground on the Monday after she went missing because we have a mother of three here, very respected in the community who has inexplicably gone missing,” she said. he Nine breakfast program Today.
'In my opinion it is better to be cautious, start at the highest level and then work your way down because so much can be lost. Here we see the missing persons coming on board five or six days after the event.
“I think the mines need to be looked at to see if perhaps she inexplicably fell into one of them.
“She could very well have gone off the beaten path to relieve herself, whatever it may be, so you know for all we know she could get hurt in a mineshaft.”
According to a police spokesperson, the search has not been called off, but scaled back.
“Police continue to be in regular contact with Samantha's family regarding developments in the search and the status of the investigation,” a spokeswoman said.
'The research phase continues and as new information becomes available identifying areas of interest, the search will be scaled up.'
Officers have urged residents in the suburbs of Ballarat East, Canadian Forest, Eureka, Buninyong and Mount Helen to check any CCTV or dashcam footage they have for any sign of Ms Murphy from 7am on Sunday.
SES volunteers search for clues near Buninyong as part of a massive search for missing Ballarat East woman Samantha Murphy – the search has now been significantly scaled back
The official search for Samantha Murphy may have been called off, but locals were still searching in the woods on Saturday
“One of the challenges we face is that the area is so remote that there isn't a lot of CCTV for businesses or homes available,” Inspector Bob Heaney said.
Detectives are working with telecommunications technicians to identify the route taken by Ms Murphy after confirming she was carrying a smartwatch and a phone.
Ms. Murphy's movements on Sunday morning were consistent with what she would normally do, said Insp. Heaney.
“Samantha is very fit – both physically and mentally – she could cover up to 14-15km on her runs,” he said.
'She would normally be back from her run within a few hours and the alarm bells went off when she didn't come home from that run.'
Murphy's distraught eldest daughter Jess called for help to bring her mother home on Thursday.
“I know she's out there somewhere, so if you could please keep looking for her to give us something to work with, we would really appreciate it,” she said.
The missing woman's husband, Mick, added: 'People don't just disappear into thin air. Someone must know something.'
Anyone with information about her disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.