Victorian mother Samantha Murphy’s alleged killer has not revealed where her body is after spending his fourth night behind bars.
Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, reserved his right to remain silent since he was charged with Ms Murphy’s murder last Thursday.
It’s understood Stephenson has repeatedly refused to co-operate with police and has given no indication as to where Ms Murphy’s remains could be, the Sunday Herald Sun reports.
Stephenson was arrested in Scotsburn, about 17km from Ms Murphy’s home, last Wednesday and was charged with murdering the 51-year-old the next day.
Sunday marks five weeks since Ms Murphy left her Eureka St home for a 7 am run on February 4, the same day Stephenson is accused of killing her.
The remains of Victorian mother Samantha Murphy (pictured) have not been found following the arrest of her alleged killer
Patrick Orren Stephenson (left) is accused of murdering Ms Murphy on February 4, the day of her disappearance, but has not shared any details on the location of her body
Her family remain desperate for closure with her husband, Mick Murphy, on Friday pleading for Stephenson to co-operate with police.
‘We are hoping he has a bit of a change of heart and that he will co-operate. That will help bring her home,’ he said.
‘We’d just like some more answers now.’
Victoria Police’s Chief Commissioner Shane Patton on Thursday confirmed Stephenson had not disclosed the location of Ms Murphy’s body.
It is unclear what specific evidence led police to Stephenson’s arrest.
However, it’s understood a large part of Victoria Police’s investigation was CCTV footage from around East Ballarat.
Officers recently obtained videos from a light industrial and residential area, with homes and businesses in Elsworth, Joseph and Butt streets confirming police requested their security footage.
Elsworth St leads to bushland managed by Parks Victoria.
It is not known if any of the footage obtained shows Ms Murphy or any vehicles of interest.
Officers have also searched the area, which includes car detailing, roller-door and gymnasium businesses.
However, Commissioner Patton revealed police would not continue planned searches over the weekend unless the location of Ms Murphy’s remains were uncovered by other means
Dedicated volunteers have scoured Ballarat bushland for five weeks but have found no trace of the missing mother.
Ms Murphy’s husband, Mick Murphy (pictured), has pleaded with Stephenson to share any information he has
Sunday marks five weeks since Ms Murphy disappeared after leaving her Eureka St home for a run (pictured, a mourner at Ms Murphy’s vigil)
Residents said they saw officers at a home on Yendon No. 2 Rd, in Scotsburn, about 6.30am on Wednesday – the time Stephenson was arrested.
One neighbour claimed officers seized the 22-year-old’s vehicle, a white four-wheel drive.
The car is reportedly being examined by specialist officers.
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