Australia Samantha Murphy, 51, last seen leaving her property to go for a run in the Canadian State Forest, Ballarat, 4 Feb 2024 *Arrest* #12

[Rocket333]

The placement of the watch, the discussion of a damaged vehicle and the mentioning of Meta data accuracy within 3 meters was not lost on me either rocket…knowing now what I didn't know then I’d say that all forms of intel have been meticulously used build a solid case.. and I’d also say his phone is a big part of it.

Re the watch

At the time of the arrest in early March, it is reported that the watch had not been found.
Like the phone, the watch would have had to have been turned off or destroyed at Mt Clear, and it would have emitted signals and recorded data until it was shut down and disabled. The police appeared to be able to access Sam’s digital data very early on as they knew when and where there was a change in Sam’s circumstances on her run that day. So at that point, without a phone or watch in their possession, they’ve accessed the data remotely somehow, particularly the biometrics from her journey that day. What’s the chances of a watch being successfully flung into the same dam as the phone from the verge beside the road? Or it being stomped on at Mt Clear and glass fragments etc being found?

The scenarios police are probing to investigate the disappearance of Samantha Murphy

9now.nine.com.au

Police arrest 22-year-old man over missing Australian mum Samantha Murphy

Police are yet to locate the 51-year-old's body and the investigation remains ongoing.

www.rnz.co.nz

 

[SouthAussie]

i am reading a book (In the Dead of Night by Greg Haddrick) about the Russell Hill/Carol Clay case.

The book explains how Australia has a person (Dr Matthew Sorell, University of Adelaide) who is a lecturer in telecommunications, multimedia, engineering, and digital forensic science. He is "one of the very few people able to interpret with perfect accuracy the volumes of data received from mobile phone towers". (ref: page 124 of the book)

He was asked to plot the precise movement of Russell Hill's phone, and after a couple of months the results came in. He plotted on a map the movement and time of each ping, the speed the phone was travelling (92 kph at one point), the precise position of the phone at small intervals.

Due to the seemingly concise information the police gave in Sam's case, it made me wonder if Dr Matthew Sorell was asked to plot the movements and speed of Sam's phone through the forest, until it stopped. And possibly the movements of PS' phone - which we have yet to learn about.

imo

 

[Kemug]

How many of you have been reading "In the Dead Of Night" in the dead of night?

 

[Rocket333]

The Under Investigation (UI) episode on Samantha Murphy, titled “The Runner”, aired on 28 February. This was roughly 3 weeks after she disappeared and a week prior to Stephenson’s arrest. To add context about such tv shows, and a tendency to be very intentional with messaging and timing, the UI & 60 minutes shows on Russell Hill & Carol Clay featured footage of a vehicle in the area at the time of their disappearance. The police already had this particular vehicle under heavy surveillance in real life and the owner Greg Lynn watched the show and was recorded subsequently modifying his vehicle to disguise it. By the time the show was aired they also had Lynn’s home and car bugged. These shows would be well researched and informed, and carefully and intentionally delivered. I think they can consciously appeal to the community whilst intentionally delivering messages to suspects knowing there’s a good chance they’re watching.

Back to Sam’s show, these are some key focal points and messages taken from it.

1. Male violence is mentioned.
2. Mineshafts - discussed & disputed
3. Wilful disappearance - discussed & disputed.
4. The absence of any trace being found of Samantha could be due to a “psychopath” familiar with the terrain (ie a local).
5. GPS and biometric data from Sam’s watch & phone have been analysed. “Data from Sam’s devices is crucial to solving the case, because both would have recorded her movements and other crucial information - from heart rate to altitude.”
6. “Targeted attack” 7kms into Sam’s run mentioned. Police said similar when Stephenson was charged a week later.
7. Police mentioned that there was a “possible sighting of a damaged vehicle in the area”. UI stated that Sam may have been kidnapped at the 7km point of her run or any vehicle involved would have been used to remove Samantha's body from the area.
8. Police may be digitally tracking possible offenders.

Around this same time Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt stated that, “given the time and the fact we've found no trace of her, we do have severe concerns and very doubtful that she's still alive”.

If Stephenson watched this show, and I’d bet he did, and maybe with his gf, it may have prompted him to check on things, like his ute, or to return to specific sites like Mt Clear, the dam or the forest to check on things, all whilst carrying his own phone (monitoring his movements) and under police surveillance. This may have confirmed police suspicion about his involvement and knowledge, and directed them to the dam vicinity. Stephenson may have even ditched the phone in the dam after this show aired, meaning that it was lying in the water for 3 months rather than 4.
I would guess that most of Ballarat watched this UI episode, including his mates and family. It would be interesting to learn how many new pieces of evidence, including witness statements came in after this show.

Stephenson was charged just a week later. Something from this show would have aided his arrest, and the timing of his arrest.

MOO

The scenarios police are probing to investigate the disappearance of Samantha Murphy

9now.nine.com.au

 

[Rocket333]

Due to the seemingly concise information the police gave in Sam's case, it made me wonder if Dr Matthew Sorell was asked to plot the movements and speed of Sam's phone through the forest, until it stopped. And possibly the movements of PS' phone - which we have yet to learn about.

imo

Yes Dr Sorrell is involved here. We were discussing him and his work a few pages back on this thread. PS’s phone will be interesting for sure.

“Dressed in white, Stephenson heard three new statements had been obtained by detectives since he last fronted court. One of those witnesses was named as Doctor Matthew Sorrell, an expert in digital forensic science.”

Dramatic moment Samantha Murphy's husband stares down accused killer

The heartbroken husband of missing Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy has stared down her alleged killer for the first time in court.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[SouthAussie]

The Under Investigation (UI) episode on Samantha Murphy, titled “The Runner”, aired on 28 February. This was roughly 3 weeks after she disappeared and a week prior to Stephenson’s arrest. To add context about this show, and its tendency to be very intentional in its messaging and timing, the UI show on Russell Hill & Carol Clay featured footage of a vehicle in the area at the time of their disappearance. The police already had this particular vehicle under heavy surveillance in real life and the owner Greg Lynn watched the show and was recorded subsequently modifying his vehicle to disguise it. By the time the show was aired they also had Lynn’s home and car bugged. I think these shows are very well researched and informed, and carefully and intentionally delivered. I think they are consciously appealing to the community, and intentionally delivering messages to suspects knowing there’s a good chance they’re watching.

Back to Sam’s show, these are some key focal points and messages taken from it.

1. Male violence is mentioned.
2. Mineshafts - discussed & disputed
3. Wilful disappearance - discussed & disputed.
4. The absence of any trace being found of Samantha could be due to a “psychopath” familiar with the terrain (ie a local).
5. GPS and biometric data from Sam’s watch & phone have been analysed. “Data from Sam’s devices is crucial to solving the case, because both would have recorded her movements and other crucial information - from heart rate to altitude.”
6. “Targeted attack” 7kms into Sam’s run mentioned. Police said similar when Stephenson was charged a week later.
7. Police mentioned that there was a “possible sighting of a damaged vehicle in the area”. UI stated that Sam may have been kidnapped at the 7km point of her run or any vehicle involved would have been used to remove Samantha's body from the area.
8. Police may be digitally tracking possible offenders.

Around this same time Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt stated that, “given the time and the fact we've found no trace of her, we do have severe concerns and very doubtful that she's still alive”.

If Stephenson watched this show, and I’d bet he did, and maybe with his gf, it may have prompted him to check on things, like his ute, or to return to specific sites like Mt Clear, the dam or the forest to check on things, all whilst carrying his own phone (monitoring his movements) and under police surveillance. This may have confirmed police suspicion about his involvement and knowledge, and directed them to the dam vicinity. Stephenson may have even ditched the phone in the dam after this show aired, meaning that it was lying in the water for 3 months rather than 4.
I would guess that most of Ballarat watched this UI episode, including his mates and family. It would be interesting to learn how many new pieces of evidence, including witness statements came in after this show.

Stephenson was charged just a week later. Something from this show would have aided his arrest, and the timing of his arrest.

MOO

The scenarios police are probing to investigate the disappearance of Samantha Murphy

9now.nine.com.au

Just to mention (to give an indication about how it might have happened in Sam's case) ... in the Hill/Clay case, Sarah Abo from 60 Minutes approached the detectives to tell them they wanted to do a show, focusing on the victims, and was there anything the police wanted to add about the investigation.

The police - who were experiencing some frustration, with their surveillance warrants about to permanently expire - had a chat and decided to ask Sarah Abo to coordinate with them carefully because there was info they wanted to release. A CCTV shot of the back of Lynn's vehicle, with no number plate revealed (even though they knew it was his).

Sarah Abo let them run their entire own section about the investigation, and didn't ask any surprise questions or spring anything on the police - as agreed.

The police had been approached by several media outlets, but they chose 60 Minutes because they knew (from surveillance) that Lynn and his wife watched 60 Minutes.

(ref: The Dead of Night by Greg Haddrick)

 

[Ron Jeremy]

The Under Investigation (UI) episode on Samantha Murphy, titled “The Runner”, aired on 28 February. This was roughly 3 weeks after she disappeared and a week prior to Stephenson’s arrest. To add context about such tv shows, and a tendency to be very intentional with messaging and timing, the UI & 60 minutes shows on Russell Hill & Carol Clay featured footage of a vehicle in the area at the time of their disappearance. The police already had this particular vehicle under heavy surveillance in real life and the owner Greg Lynn watched the show and was recorded subsequently modifying his vehicle to disguise it. By the time the show was aired they also had Lynn’s home and car bugged. These shows would be well researched and informed, and carefully and intentionally delivered. I think they can consciously appeal to the community whilst intentionally delivering messages to suspects knowing there’s a good chance they’re watching.

Back to Sam’s show, these are some key focal points and messages taken from it.

1. Male violence is mentioned.
2. Mineshafts - discussed & disputed
3. Wilful disappearance - discussed & disputed.
4. The absence of any trace being found of Samantha could be due to a “psychopath” familiar with the terrain (ie a local).
5. GPS and biometric data from Sam’s watch & phone have been analysed. “Data from Sam’s devices is crucial to solving the case, because both would have recorded her movements and other crucial information - from heart rate to altitude.”
6. “Targeted attack” 7kms into Sam’s run mentioned. Police said similar when Stephenson was charged a week later.
7. Police mentioned that there was a “possible sighting of a damaged vehicle in the area”. UI stated that Sam may have been kidnapped at the 7km point of her run or any vehicle involved would have been used to remove Samantha's body from the area.
8. Police may be digitally tracking possible offenders.

Around this same time Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt stated that, “given the time and the fact we've found no trace of her, we do have severe concerns and very doubtful that she's still alive”.

If Stephenson watched this show, and I’d bet he did, and maybe with his gf, it may have prompted him to check on things, like his ute, or to return to specific sites like Mt Clear, the dam or the forest to check on things, all whilst carrying his own phone (monitoring his movements) and under police surveillance. This may have confirmed police suspicion about his involvement and knowledge, and directed them to the dam vicinity. Stephenson may have even ditched the phone in the dam after this show aired, meaning that it was lying in the water for 3 months rather than 4.
I would guess that most of Ballarat watched this UI episode, including his mates and family. It would be interesting to learn how many new pieces of evidence, including witness statements came in after this show.

Stephenson was charged just a week later. Something from this show would have aided his arrest, and the timing of his arrest.

MOO

The scenarios police are probing to investigate the disappearance of Samantha Murphy

9now.nine.com.au

Good post Rocket, pretty much sums up the intent of the UI program I reckon. I remember watching the program at the time and thinking the same. Re Sam’s phone, I recall reading somewhere that the police originally went to the property owner where the phone was found early on in the investigation to seek assistance, info from cctv etc ( which the property owner didn’t have ) nothing came of that then, but then months later they went back to same property and located the phone. I wonder if Dr Sorrell assisted here in verifying the movement of persons/phones? I couldn’t tell you where I read that, but that was mentioned.

 

[Rocket333]

Does anyone know where the 7km or turnaround point relevant to this case actually is in Woowookarung?

Also, there’s a cluster of blue dot photo spheres on Google maps just off Recreation Road, and between Bailey Road and Katy Ryans Road. I think they were all taken by the same person but can’t work out when. I’m wondering if it’s related to searching for Samantha (marking search spots) because the photos are of nothing but the scrub.

 

[Rocket333]

Does anyone know where the 7km or turnaround point relevant to this case actually is in Woowookarung?

Got it. Near the Boak Road telecoms shelter & tower, around 7k’s from her home. Quite an isolated spot, and 10 minutes drive to Scotsburn which seems quite a quiet, rural route. I guess that even one property with cctv pointed towards the road along that route would be enough if it captured a certain vehicle at a certain time. Wonder how there is such an enormous volume of cctv & dashcam footage collected given it’s a Sunday in the country, and what it has recorded.

 

[SouthAussie]

Got it. Near the Boak Road telecoms shelter & tower, around 7k’s from her home. Quite an isolated spot, and 10 minutes drive to Scotsburn which seems quite a quiet, rural route. I guess that even one property with cctv pointed towards the road along that route would be enough if it captured a certain vehicle at a certain time. Wonder how there is such an enormous volume of cctv & dashcam footage collected given it’s a Sunday in the country, and what it has recorded.

If you do a search on "Boak Road" for this forum, there is a lot of discussion about this location. Photos (that could have been purposely staged, or maybe taken with a long range lens) showed a police forensic team searching there, also officers photographed at the tower, and we looked into it a lot.

A local member walked the location and saw that the tower there had CCTV.
We had found articles about telecomms companies securing their towers with CCTV.
The location is also very close to PS' parents house ... there is cut-through track in that part of the forest.


"I thought no cctv as well until I took a walk along Boak Rd Sat evening and at the phone tower there is clear warning about cctv surveillance."
Thread 6, post 962

 

[Rocket333]

If you do a search on "Boak Road" for this forum, there is a lot of discussion about this location. Photos (that could have been purposely staged, or maybe taken with a long range lens) showed a police forensic team searching there, also officers photographed at the tower, and we looked into it a lot.

A local member walked the location and saw that the tower there had CCTV.
We had found articles about telecomms companies securing their towers with CCTV.
The location is also very close to PS' parents house ... there is cut-through track in that part of the forest.


"I thought no cctv as well until I took a walk along Boak Rd Sat evening and at the phone tower there is clear warning about cctv surveillance."
Thread 6, post 962

Thanks for the reminder SA. I’ve just been re-reading Boak Road posts from April and catching up. I’m genuinely perplexed about how a Gen Zedder with occupational knowledge appears not aware of or bothered by digital exposure. Or is it a case of the digital exposure becoming secondary in importance to another emerging need?

 

[Rocket333]

Due to the seemingly concise information the police gave in Sam's case, it made me wonder if Dr Matthew Sorell was asked to plot the movements and speed of Sam's phone through the forest, until it stopped. And possibly the movements of PS' phone - which we have yet to learn about.

imo

Fascinating.

Dr Sorrell; “So what got my interest in this particular data set in fact was a murder that occurred here in Adelaide in 2016. Now, you can go under Google and I’m actually not going to name the case, but it’s public enough. The victim was wearing an Apple Watch when she drove her car home, parked the car, turned off the ignition, Bluetooth disconnected, 45 seconds later walks 20 steps, then there’s a big flurry of activity and then seven minutes later, we see the last recorded heartbeat.

And this was the first example that we’re aware of, so late-2016, the first example that we are aware of, where we actually recorded the process of assault on the victim and the subsequent death of the victim on one of these devices that was admissible.

And one of the key reasons why it was admissible is because we got no further recordings, except that the phone kept logging every minute, basal energy. And it kept doing that until 1:00 AM and the police arrived on the scene at about 10:30 PM. So we’ve got continuity showing that the phone and the watch continued to work and communicate with each other.”

https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/university-of-adelaides-dr-matthew-sorell-on-evidentiary-health-data-at-dfrws-apac-2022/

 

[Kemug]

Fascinating.

Dr Sorrell; “So what got my interest in this particular data set in fact was a murder that occurred here in Adelaide in 2016. Now, you can go under Google and I’m actually not going to name the case, but it’s public enough. The victim was wearing an Apple Watch when she drove her car home, parked the car, turned off the ignition, Bluetooth disconnected, 45 seconds later walks 20 steps, then there’s a big flurry of activity and then seven minutes later, we see the last recorded heartbeat.

And this was the first example that we’re aware of, so late-2016, the first example that we are aware of, where we actually recorded the process of assault on the victim and the subsequent death of the victim on one of these devices that was admissible.

RSBM
I well remember this case! And I'm still surprised that the suspect got off.

 

[SouthAussie]

RSBM
I well remember this case! And I'm still surprised that the suspect got off.

Me, too, Kemug.

(It was the Myrna Nilsson murder case, for those who are wondering.)

 

[sunspun]

I found this line from the above article interesting:

“I’m not going to identify what has specifically led us to this man other than to say it has come about from painstaking detective work with GREAT assistance from the public,” he said. (Bold/capitalized by me)

I wonder what that assistance was? Random strangers with CCTV footage? Random people reporting persistent rumours? Or did it come from his inner circle? Does great mean good in this instance, or a huge volume?

very good questions.

And I'm surprised there haven't been more rumors if it was someone in the public who provided them valuable info. People have a hard time keeping secrets often.

 

[Knitty]

This thread is closed. Please continue at Thread #13