Samantha Murphy's family hit with fresh grief as beloved dog Ruby disappears without a trace days after Ballarat mother was last seen
The family of missing mother Samantha Murphy has been dealt another cruel blow by the disappearance of her beloved dog Ruby.
The three-year-old Vizsla breed is believed to have escaped from the family home – just off Eureka Street in East Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne – sometime on Thursday.
It is the same property where Ms Murphy disappeared on February 4 after a planned run in Woowookarung Regional Park.
A family friend, who asked not to be named, told Daily Mail Australia that Ruby had managed to flee the family home with the family's other dog, who later returned to the property.
'It's just heartbreaking. Samantha loved that dog. It was her baby,” the source said.
“She'd be crazy to know Ruby was out there lost and alone in the bush.”
The family of missing mother Samantha Murphy has been dealt another cruel blow by the disappearance of her beloved dog Ruby (pictured)
A family friend of Samantha Murphy (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia that Ruby had managed to flee the family home with the family's other dog, who later returned to the property. 'It's just heartbreaking. Samantha loved that dog. It was her baby,” the source said
Ms Murphy had taken to social media in 2021 to ask for help to find Ruby after the then ten-week-old puppy escaped from the family's previous home in nearby Navigators.
The photo showed the cheeky puppy nestled on Mrs Murphy's bed.
Ms Murphy made no secret of her affection for the big-eared pup and provided constant updates on the search at the time.
'Thanks everyone. Still nothing but crossing everything,” she wrote at the time.
Mrs. Murphy could barely contain her joy when Ruby was found safe and sound.
“And Ruby just got back.” Filthy and frozen and in need of lots of cuddles!!,” she posted on Facebook at the time.
'Very happy family. A tired dog with her belly full now, sleeping wonderfully.'
In an ironic twist, the final image of Ms Murphy, shared with the public by Victoria Police, appears to show her throwing away Ruby's feces.
“She loved that dog like family,” the source said. “We think Ruby is probably looking for her.”
Daily Mail Australia contacted Ms Murphy's husband, Mick Murphy, for comment on Tuesday but received no response.
Police sources have told Daily Mail Australia that Ruby was not with Ms Murphy when she herself went missing.
Ms Murphy had taken to social media in 2021 to ask for help to find Ruby after the then ten-week-old puppy escaped from her family's previous home in nearby Navigators.
In an ironic twist, the final image of Ms Murphy, shared with the public by Victoria Police, appears to show her throwing away Ruby's feces.
On Friday, Detective Acting Chief Inspector Mark Hatt told reporters that detectives would now investigate Ms Murphy's movements and interactions with others in the days before she disappeared.
'Absolutely, that will be a big part of our investigation. “We are digging into the background, investigating Samantha's movements in the days leading up to her disappearance as well as the people who knew her,” he said.
Part of the investigation – now called Operation Primus – will see detectives search Ms Murphy's computers and devices in the hope of finding clues.
Chief Inspector Hatt said police were still working to establish who may have been in the area where Ms Murphy's phone lost communication with mobile phone masts.
Her cell phone had pinged in the nearby suburb of Buninyong before dark.
Detectives are still wondering where Mrs. Murphy went when she left her home.
CCTV footage showing Ms Murphy outside her home was the last confirmed sighting of her alive.
A smiling Mick Murphy was pictured at police last Friday – the day after his wife Samantha's dog Ruby went missing
It is believed that Ruby escaped from the Murphy home (pictured) sometime on Thursday evening or Friday morning
It is understood the cameras caught Ms Murphy running down the driveway before disappearing without a trace.
Family recalls she was reported missing after failing to attend brunch that morning.
Mrs Murphy's eldest daughter Jessica and her father desperately called for their loved one to return home that same day.
Through tears, Jessica urged the crowd to continue searching for her mother.
“Mom, we love you so much and we miss you and we need you home with us, please come home soon, I can't wait to see you,” Jessica told reporters.
“Mom is a very strong woman, and she is far too determined to give up this fight.”
Jessica's father thanked the community for their support as he demanded answers.
“People don't just disappear into thin air,” Murphy said.
'Someone needs to know something… whether it's something small that you think is relevant, just call the police and let them know.
“It will give us a little peace of mind if we get some hope.”
Anyone with information about Ms Murphy's disappearance can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.