Patrick Orren Stephenson, a 22-year-old, is accused of committing the crime. His father used to be a professional footballer in Australia. murdering Samantha Murphy, a mother of three, vanished while out for a jog.
Police have not found Samantha's body yet and they are still investigating. Victoria police stated this in a news release on March 6 when announcing the arrest. Murphy, 51, disappeared while jogging in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia on February 4. The police believe she is no longer alive, according to 1News. The report mentioned that Murphy is believed to be deceased.
One connection between Murphy and Stephenson has been identified. Murphy volunteered at the same school where Stephenson went as a child. This was reported by 7News.Initially, the police had stated that they did not think the two individuals knew each other.
Australian courts revealed Stephenson's name after lifting a suppression order upon the request of multiple news organizations. This was reported by ABC.net.au.
It was disclosed that Stephenson is the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson and is from the Ballarat area, according to ABC Australia.
Several female joggers have also been killed in the United States over the years. This was reported by ABC.net.au.
You may need to know the following:
1. The police suspect that Patrick Orren Stephenson intentionally attacked Samantha Murphy.
The police in VictoriaHer name is Samantha Murphy.
According to the BBCThe police believe that Stephenson deliberately attacked Ms. Murphy in a forest area near her home in East Ballarat where she used to exercise.
The police release from Victoria reported that detectives have charged a man in connection with the disappearance of Samantha Murphy.
A 22-year-old man from Scotsburn was arrested and charged with the murder. He will appear in court.
Samantha was last seen leaving her home on February 4. The charge follows an extensive search of the Canadian Forest area.
Victoria police stated that the search involved various police units and community volunteers.
Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt, Crime Command said, “Our thoughts are with Samantha’s family and friends. A significant search and investigation has been carried out since Samantha’s disappearance at the beginning of February in an effort to find her.”
The superintendent thanked everyone who assisted the police in various ways over the past month.
ABC doesn't know why the police went after Stephenson.
2. Patrick Orrin Stephenson Played Junior Football & Was a College Student
Facebook (Help Find Samantha Murphy)Patrick Stephenson.
According to ABC Australia, Stephenson played junior football for the Redan Football Netball Club.
He attended St Patrick’s College in Ballarat and then Damascus College in Mount Clear, Australia, as reported by the site.
Stephenson got arrested while house sitting with his girlfriend, 7 News reported. News.com.au also reported that the police were using cell phone data as part of the investigation.
3. Patrick Orrin Stephenson Went on a ‘Pub Crawl’ the Night Before the Attack That Was Captured on Video, Reports Say
According to Daily Mail, Stephenson joined friends for a “pub crawl.”
The Herald Sun published video of Stephenson the night before the murder, saying his friends described him as going on a “bender.”
Daily Mail reported that “a video that circulated on Snapchat from the party appears to show lines of white powder racked up on a mobile phone,” but indicated there was no evidence tying Stephenson to it.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that investigators were trying to find surveillance video of Stephenson from that night.
His girlfriend, Meg Harbour, a veterinary student, has locked her Facebook page.
4. Samantha Murphy, Who Was Described as a ‘Dedicated Mother’ Who Helped Run a Car Repair Business, Was Reported Missing When She Didn’t Show Up for a Brunch
Victoria PoliceSamantha Murphy.
According to Daily Mail, the first sign something was wrong came when Murphy did not show up for a brunch.
She was married to husband Michael, 7 News reported.
“Mum we love you so much and we miss you. We need you at home with us. Please come home soon,” her daughter Jess Murphy said, according to BBC.
1News reported that Murphy and her husband “run a car repair business near their Ballarat East home,” noting she was described as a “caring friend, a valued Ballarat community member and a dedicated mother.
5. Orren Stephenson, the Suspect’s Dad, Is a Former AFL Player With 3 Children
Orren Stephenson, the former AFL player who is Patrick Stephenson’s father, was described as “a husband to his high school sweetheart Whitney, and a father to three children, according to a 2013 article in Richmond FC.
That article described him as “one of a kind.” That same year, AFL wrote, “His eldest daughter, Emilie, will soon turn 14, his son Patrick will soon be 12. Sophie, the youngest, turned 10 earlier this year.
AFL continued, “Orren Stephenson had three kids by the time he was 20, now he’s reveling in sharing his AFL revival with those closest to him.”
“It’s been fantastic and a massive bonus. For my wife and the kids, it’s something they’ll never forget so I’m pretty blessed to be able to share it with them,” Stephenson told AFL.com.au.
“Patrick last year was rolling around the rooms with the Geelong Cats and this year he’s rolling around with the Richmond Tiger boys.
Of the dad, AFL wrote, “He was the oldest first-time recruit in draft history when picked up at 29, becoming a Cat after winning three VFL premierships with North Ballarat.”
