A “dark cloud” hangs over the community of a regional Victorian town following the deaths of two women in the space of two months, a criminal psychologist has said.
Locals in Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne, were already struggling to come to terms with the alleged murder of Samantha Murphy, 51, and have now been dealt another blow following the discovery of the body of a 23-year-old woman.
The remains of the young Clunes woman were discovered in a burnt-out car near State Forests Road in Scarsdale, south of Ballarat, on Friday.
The identity of the person who discovered her body and the exact time of the discovery remain unknown, while two men, aged 21 and 22, have been arrested.
Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro said the Murphy case and the discovery of the 23-year-old’s remains would have a “profound effect” on the community.
“I imagine they are reeling,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The discovery of the dead woman would be very shocking to them. On a more generic level, people are probably wondering how safe it is in that part of the world.”
Ms Murphy was last seen on February 4 during a run in Ballarat East.
Her remains have not been found and on March 7, Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, was charged with Ms Murphy’s alleged murder.
In a grim update, a Victoria Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Monday there were no updates in the search for her remains.
Ballarat’s population is approximately 100,000, compared to Melbourne, which has a population of approximately 5 million.
“Two women believed to be dead within about two months, I think these types of (alleged) crimes have a profound impact on small communities,” Mr Watson-Munro said.
“There’s a bit of a dark cloud hanging over them.”
Locals in Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne, were already struggling to come to terms with the alleged murder of Samantha Murphy, 51
The body of a 23-year-old woman has been found near a bushland track in southern Ballarat, leading to the arrest of two men
Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, was charged with Ms Murphy’s alleged murder
A Victoria Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Monday there were no updates in the search for Samantha Murphy’s remains
The expert said while news of the 23-year-old’s death was likely to stir up some “negative emotions” among Ballarat locals, it is hoped it can also motivate people to remember Ms Murphy’s disappearance and may remember any important information they might pass on. on the police.
A renewed search for Ms Murphy was launched by police around the Buninyong Bushland Reserve late last month but was called off after just six hours.
It comes after Mrs Murphy’s heartbroken husband Michael said he was still hopeful her body would be found.
The mother of three would have turned 52 on Easter Saturday, a milestone her family had to celebrate without her.
“It was the first birthday without Sam… That’s hard, but we have to face reality and realize that she’s just not coming back,” Murphy told the newspaper. Herald Sun.
He still searches for his wife’s body every day, while he and his family wait hopefully for new developments from the police.
Mr. Murphy said he misses his wife all the time, but he tries to keep his spirits up, saying, “I have to be strong myself and take care of everyone around me.”
Michael Murphy (pictured) remains confident the body of his beloved wife Samantha will be found as the heartbroken family reached a major milestone last weekend
Ms Murphy was last seen on CCTV in the driveway of her Ballarat East home when she left for a run at Woowookarung Regional Park two months ago.
When she did not return at the expected time and the family could not contact her, they called the police.
An extensive search followed, with professionals and volunteers searching a large area of bushland.
But they couldn’t find her and the only major breakthrough was Stephenson’s arrest on March 6.
A distraught Mr. Murphy has been unable to return to work since his wife went missing.
But he said he can still laugh and smile sometimes, despite the endless trauma he and his family have endured since Mrs. Murphy disappeared.
A local group, the ground crew, is also still looking for her. They liaise with the police and SES and ensure they do not disturb any potential evidence.
