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

[Porky1]

Exactly. 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.

Ballarat Population 2024 | Population Australia

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 him

www.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

It’s possible that Samantha also knew his father, perhaps the accused misinterpreted the relationship and sought revenge

 

[Warshawski]

It’s possible that Samantha also knew his father, perhaps the accused misinterpreted the relationship and sought revenge

. I suggested similar, way back.

 

[jjleroche]

It’s possible that Samantha also knew his father, perhaps the accused misinterpreted the relationship and sought revenge

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

 

[jjleroche]

. I suggested similar, way back.

DBM.

 

[SouthAussie]

It’s possible that Samantha also knew his father, perhaps the accused misinterpreted the relationship and sought revenge

"And while the families were not known to one another .... "

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/accused-killed-patrick-orren-stephenson-shared-love-of-footy-with-his-dad/news-story/2c0249893e71c92dbf911363ef67d668?amp

 

[Warshawski]

"And while the families were not known to one another .... "

View attachment 526918

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/accused-killed-patrick-orren-stephenson-shared-love-of-footy-with-his-dad/news-story/2c0249893e71c92dbf911363ef67d668?amp

I know that’s been reported SA, but I’m also sceptical … it’s all quite bizarre imo.

 

[jjleroche]

I know that’s been reported SA, but I’m also sceptical … it’s all quite bizarre imo.

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

 

[suspicious]

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

Agreed. My kids primary school has a prominent afl football family and id be very surprised if anyone at school didnt know who they were.

 

[Lemony]

During the press conference Shane Patton was asked by a journalist "You said he wasn’t known to the family, was he known to Samantha?”. SP replies, "I don’t have that knowledge, I don’t believe that to be the case".
IMO SP is being straightforward and answering honestly.

SP previously described the investigation as painstaking and methodical, I would imagine that would include establishing any meaningful links between PS and Sam that would have relevance to the crime. Very possible that no evidence had been found to support the two knowing each other.

In addition to the above, the police may know the circumstances that led to the murder and perhaps evidence pointed to Sam being a victim of a random attack. An example, Sam witnessed dangerous driving or some other bad behaviour, an altercation takes place and PS kills her in a rage, PS lets some of the details slip to one of his mates.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

I know that’s been reported SA, but I’m also sceptical … it’s all quite bizarre imo.

There is just so much of this case, that doesn't ad up

 

[SouthAussie]

I know that’s been reported SA, but I’m also sceptical … it’s all quite bizarre imo.

I'm really not skeptical. So what if people in town knew 'who' his father was. Doesn't mean they moved in the same circles or had any contact.

We are speaking of a young person who has had troubles for a good part of his life, if not all of it. I won't repeat all of the troubles due to sub judice (and I am not sure what will be considered a breach on the forum), but the links are all in past threads.

It is no big shock to me that he is now alleged to have murdered an innocent runner. Might be no big shock to his parents either - though undoubtably a huge disappointment, humiliation, and sorrow for them. Seems that they might have been trying hard to keep him on track for a long time, involving him in footy, changing his schools, employing him as an apprentice.

imo