It’s possible that Samantha also knew his father, perhaps the accused misinterpreted the relationship and sought revengeExactly. The police could not possibly be certain of that. IMO that repeated comment from Vicpol was made for a strategic reason.
I am aware that Ballarat has a reasonably large regional population by Australian standards - 130,000.
Nevertheless, I'm not at all convinced that the accused and Samantha did not know each other. My experience having lived in large regional locations informs my opinion. The children of both the Murphy and Stephenson families attended private colleges, and accordingly are likely to have attended functions where these colleges paired up for various events. The children of both families were of similar ages. IMO at the very least, they would have known who those from the other family were. IMO they are likely to have moved in similar circles.
The families both owned and operated businesses in Ballarat, and had done for many years. Quite aside from school-related connections, I find it very difficult to believe that the senior Murphy and Stephenson family members did not know each other. The various business/community related organisations and associated functions would also, in all likelihood bring them into contact over the years.
Additionally Orren Stephenson, the accused's father, played Australian Rules Football for the Richmond Football Club
Orren's family affair
Orren Stephenson had three kids by the time he was 20, now he's reveling in sharing his AFL revival with those closest to himwww.afl.com.au
Samantha was known to be an avid Richmond fan. IMO that is possibly another reason whereby an additional contact between the families may have existed.
All MOO
Australia Samantha Murphy, 51, last seen leaving her property to go for a run in the Canadian State Forest, Ballarat, 4 Feb 2024 *Arrest* #11
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Warshawski
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. I suggested similar, way back.
jjleroche
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I agree with you Porky1. IMO it's entirely possible that Samantha knew the accused's father - particularly as he was a former AFL player for Richmond, and Samantha was an avid Richmond supporter.
Additionally, the Stephenson family resided in close proximity to the Mt Clear area where Samantha frequently ran, so IMO it's not unreasonable to consider that the accused's father also ran in that area, and he and Samantha could have crossed paths, acknowledging each other as runners often do.
JMO
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jjleroche
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DBM.
SouthAussie
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"And while the families were not known to one another .... "
Warshawski
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I know that’s been reported SA, but I’m also sceptical … it’s all quite bizarre imo.
jjleroche
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I agree with you Warshawski. Bizarre IMHO also.
Much has been made of the "families were not known to one another" statements made by Vicpol.
For starters, Vicpol could not possibly know with certainty whether or not Samantha knew the accused.
Unfortunately she cannot speak for herself, and the accused is not talking (as far as we know).
IMHO such comments may have been made by Vicpol for strategic (and sound) reasons. The public is not
privy to all the information and evidence gathered in this case. Vicpol have a duty of care to protect the
public. There could well be other factors in this case of which we have no idea, which may (or may not
have prompted the Vicpol statements.
IMO it's also possible that the statements may have been made in order to mitigate further damage to the lives
of various people living in the district.
JMO