On the morning of 4 February 2024, Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy left her home for a routine run and never returned.

Originally recorded during the early stages of the investigation, this episode retraces Samantha’s last known movements and the massive search that followed. We speak with former Detective Inspector Greg Lamey about what happens in those crucial first 48 hours of a missing-person investigation, what police look for, and why seemingly insignificant information can become an important piece of the puzzle.

What did investigators know in those early days and what were the missing pieces?

IMPORTANT NOTE: This episode was originally recorded and published during the early stages of the investigation and reflects information publicly available at that time.

Since its original publication, criminal proceedings relating to Samantha Murphy’s disappearance have commenced. This episode has not been updated to discuss those proceedings and does not address the person currently before the courts, the evidence in those proceedings, or questions of guilt or innocence.

Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as commenting on, prejudging or seeking to influence any current court proceedings. The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty according to law.