Victoria police have discovered a body believed to be that of a man who disappeared three days ago.
Matthew, 34, from Gordon, was last seen on Reservoir Road in Newlyn, north-east of Ballarat, around 2pm on Friday, May 31.
After concerns were raised for his welfare on Saturday, police and SES volunteers launched an urgent search of the surrounding bushland.
On Monday, police found a body in the Leonards Hill area, about 11 miles from where he was last seen in Newlyn.
“The deceased has yet to be formally identified but is believed to be missing Gordan man Matthew,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
Police believe they have found the body of Matthew, 34, (pictured), who was last seen on Friday, May 31
Matthew’s body was found in bushland in the Leonards Hill area
‘The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage.’
Leonards Hill is about 38km from missing mother Samantha Murphy’s home on Eureka St in Ballarat.
Ms Murphy was last seen on CCTV in the driveway before disappearing after leaving for a run at Woowookarung Regional Park.
Victoria Police search crews last week discovered Ms Murphy’s iPhone in the mud on the Buninyong waterfront, about 19km from her Ballarat home.
The phone, protected by a teal-covered case, is undamaged and in working condition. Researchers hope this could lead to the discovery of her body.
It is believed the device has been submerged in the dam since February 4 – the same day police allege Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, killed Ms Murphy while she was jogging on Sunday.
Leonards Hill is approximately 24 miles from Samantha Murphy’s home (pictured)
