Australia Samantha Murphy, 51, last seen leaving her property to go for a run in the Canadian State Forest, Ballarat 100km NW of Melbourne, 4 Feb 2024 #2

[SouthAussie]

Specialist Search Dogs.

Not sure if this has been brought up and is still correct but according to this article and the Vic Pol website, Cadaver police search dogs are only located in NSW & QLD. Vic Pol use German Shepherds .

Cadaver dogs:

'A privilege being able to assist': Cadaver dogs are some of Australia's most specialised canines. How are they trained?

For those tasked with finding human bodies, the bond between specially trained cadaver dog and handler is vital — and the physical and mental exhaustion will likely be worth it, if it can bring closure to those grieving for a loved one.

www.abc.net.au

Vic Pol website:

Specialist roles and areas for police officers

Victoria Police specialist roles, major units, specialised areas, how to apply and your career options after a general duties police officer role.

www.police.vic.gov.au

People keep mentioning Cadaver dogs but it doesn’t look like this is an option in Victoria. They might have used other specialist dog units from the Army or SAR teams but I’m not sure if these are options in Victoria either.

If they don't have cadaver dogs themselves, they have certainly obtained use of cadaver dogs in the fairly recent past.
I know that my state has "borrowed" a cadaver dog from NSW in the past (2019) to look for Tanja Ebert and Scott Redman.

2021
Victoria Police bring in cadaver dogs to continue search for missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay in Wonnangatta Valley

2022
Cadaver dogs show 'significant interest' in mine shaft as 47-year missing boy mystery continues

imo

 

[Toowong(s)]

But how can they 'know' she actually left the property when police don't know which way she went? She might have been going to the letter box to collect the morning newspaper. No proof of which way she went, indicates to me that they Didn't see her leave at all.

I’m not entirely sure how they know but I think police are very careful and deliberate with their language and choice of words. So I’m working on the basis that Superintendent Hatt meant it when he said:

Superintendent Hatt told reporters cameras positioned on the Murphy homestead had captured her walking up the driveway.

But he could not say which way Ms Murphy went after leaving the property despite the video feed capturing her doing so.

'It captured her leaving the address,' he said.

From the DM on 14th Feb with nothing else said or release since to say otherwise.

Detectives return to home of missing mum Samantha Murphy

The disappearance of mum-of-three Samantha Murphy has officially been declared 'suspicious' by Victoria Police.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I appreciate others may need more convincing, and also that police sometimes get it wrong, but I’m working on this police statement “it captured her leaving the address” being fact.

My theory is that the camera captures SM exiting the gate, entering the lane (which is really a shared access lane for 3-4 large properties only) and turning towards Eureka St but the police don’t know for certain which way SM turned on Eureka St.

 

[Black-Cat]

A great article on cadaver dogs, the seem to be based in NSW and Queensland but deployed where needed.

'A privilege being able to assist': Cadaver dogs are some of Australia's most specialised canines. How are they trained?

For those tasked with finding human bodies, the bond between specially trained cadaver dog and handler is vital — and the physical and mental exhaustion will likely be worth it, if it can bring closure to those grieving for a loved one.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Black-Cat]

I’m not entirely sure how they know but I think police are very careful and deliberate with their language and choice of words. So I’m working on the basis that Superintendent Hatt meant it when he said:

Superintendent Hatt told reporters cameras positioned on the Murphy homestead had captured her walking up the driveway.

But he could not say which way Ms Murphy went after leaving the property despite the video feed capturing her doing so.

'It captured her leaving the address,' he said.

From the DM on 14th Feb with nothing else said or release since to say otherwise.

Detectives return to home of missing mum Samantha Murphy

The disappearance of mum-of-three Samantha Murphy has officially been declared 'suspicious' by Victoria Police.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I appreciate others may need more convincing, and also that police sometimes get it wrong, but I’m working on this police statement “it captured her leaving the address” being fact.

My theory is that the camera captures SM exiting the gate, entering the lane (which is really a shared access lane for 3-4 large properties only) and turning towards Eureka St but the police don’t know for certain which way SM turned on Eureka St.

Yes this is what they said, but sometimes they want someone to feel like their story is believed. This allows them to investigate and collect evidence on what really happened.

 

[Toowong(s)]

Yes this is what they said, but sometimes they want someone to feel like their story is believed. This allows them to investigate and collect evidence on what really happened.

Good point Black Cat yes it could be a tactic.

For me though I’m trying to build plausible theories around what can be considered fact and about the only two solid things I’ve got to work with are the police statement that SM left the address, multiple statements from friends/family that SM intended to go for a long run (10 or 14km) and then the subsequent phone ping. Somewhere between those two points of reference and the reasonable theory that SM did indeed set out for a run, is the answer to what happened to SM IMO.

 

[CoffeeHug]

what do you mean?

Australians have to carry water in summer. It is impossible to go for a run without water, just like its impossible for someone in North America to survive being trapped outside in a snow storm.

Someone said that their husband did marathons without water, but marathons usually have water stands along the route.

If you run without water here, in summer, you will cramp up within minutes and collapse from heat stroke.

Its inconceivable she went running without water.

He also has to train for those marathons and the bush does not have water stations. I wouldn't do it, I don't think I could do it without collapsing. (For anyone running, please take water. Don't be like my husband and those like him. I think it's foolish and dangerous.)

(Actually, I can't imagine running full stop, but that's me. ;-) )

 

[BGirl88]

Just finally catching up, but looks like no new info or evidence. The removal of info from the VicPol site is interesting. I’ll be following this closely today. I hope the family receives closure soon, or in the absolute best case, Sam is found alive. Where are you Sam?

 

[Black-Cat]

Good point Black Cat yes it could be a tactic.

For me though I’m trying to build plausible theories around what can be considered fact and about the only two solid things I’ve got to work with are the police statement that SM left the address, multiple statements from friends/family that SM intended to go for a long run (10 or 14km) and then the subsequent phone ping. Somewhere between those two points of reference and the reasonable theory that SM did indeed set out for a run, is the answer to what happened to SM IMO.

Yes and she may have gone for a run, I hope we know soon

 

[solari]

what do you mean?

Australians have to carry water in summer. It is impossible to go for a run without water, just like its impossible for someone in North America to survive being trapped outside in a snow storm.

Someone said that their husband did marathons without water, but marathons usually have water stands along the route.

If you run without water here, in summer, you will cramp up within minutes and collapse from heat stroke.

Its inconceivable she went running without wat

they have cadaver dogs. All police forces in Australia do.

No they do not cadaver dogs in vicpol, only in NSW and QLD deployed to other states when needed.
Cadaver Dogs

Please may we do our research and also pay attention to other sleuths information, if your unsure or disagree do your own fact checking before discrediting others.

And yes as a seasoned Australian bushwalker/Powerwalker I can confirm, like many other Australians in the thread, many Australians run/walk/bikeride in the stink of summer in the mornings without a water bottle, you see it no matter where you are, and no people aren't falling over everywhere due to heatstroke or dehydration. Personally I can easily do a multi terrain 10km Powerwalk in 1hr and 40mins without water, I only take water if I'm planning to be out more than 2hrs and if it's over 33degrees.

 

[Karin1974]

what do you mean?

Australians have to carry water in summer. It is impossible to go for a run without water, just like its impossible for someone in North America to survive being trapped outside in a snow storm.

Someone said that their husband did marathons without water, but marathons usually have water stands along the route.

If you run without water here, in summer, you will cramp up within minutes and collapse from heat stroke.

Its inconceivable she went running without water.

IMO - I mean absolutely no disrespect, however, your post is not correct! - As a runner for many, many years, who is approximately the same age as SM, who lives in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, I run 5km daily & have NEVER carried water (Or a phone, or keys, or sunnies, or a hat) - I am unsure why there are so many people who do not run & have never run offering up opinions on what they ‘expect/think’ - Please accept the opinions of the people on here who actually are runners. MOO

 

[kiwi50]

How many people in Australia have cadaver dogs ever found?
I don’t have a huge amount of faith in them.
Did they bring in ordinary search dogs on the first day, surely those dogs could have worked out what direction she went in, not like William Tyrrell case where 100’s had walked over the ground near their house.

 

[MIG214222]

Only German Shepherds, not Cadaver dogs though.

Vicpol & other states don't need their 'own' - states share resources: Cadaver dogs are some of Australia's most specialised canines. What's involved in their training? & Victoria Police bring in cadaver dogs to continue search for missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay in Wonnangatta Valley.

 

[Bats]

How many people in Australia have cadaver dogs ever found?
I don’t have a huge amount of faith in them.
Did they bring in ordinary search dogs on the first day, surely those dogs could have worked out what direction she went in, not like William Tyrrell case where 100’s had walked over the ground near their house.

Its possible the sniffer dogs could pick up a scent going in both directions. Sniffer dogs are amazing creatures but can they be taught to pick up a scent from a particular day? I personally wouldn't expect so.

 

[FromGermany1]

I noticed, that it looked like SM wasn't wearing the right clothes to train for a marathon. The bra doesn't seem particularly suitable for this type of sport.
<modsnip - not an approved source>

Not only the marathon on a hot day and before a planned brunch, but also the sports clothing is a little bit strange to me. But I can't draw any conclusions from it at the moment.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I have noticed states sharing resources of different kinds, including the use of specialised dogs.

 

[MadMcGoo]

I’m going to prepare a new thread on which this discussion will continue. While I do that, please take the time to read over the RULES of this site. A few key points to keep in mind:

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If you have a problem, question or concern, REPORT any post to bring it to our attention.

Thank you!
Mad

 

[MadMcGoo]

Please continue the discussion on Thread #3.

Australia - Samantha Murphy, 51, last seen leaving her property to go for a run in the Canadian State Forest, Ballarat 100km NW of Melbourne, 4 Feb 2024 #3

desperate search continues for a mother-of-three who vanished without a trace after heading off on a 20km run during a heatwave. Samantha Murphy, 51, was last seen leaving her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat East, about 100km northwest of Melbourne, at 7am on Sunday. It's understood she was...

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