The Ballarat neighborhood has gathered at a vigil to mourn Victorian mum Samantha Murphy, a day after 22-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson was charged along with her alleged homicide.
Police allege Stephenson killed Murphy that day at Mount Clear.
Ballarat Mayor Des Hudson mentioned there was an “outpouring of emotion” on the vigil final night time.
Hudson mentioned some individuals did not know Murphy however have been in tears.
He mentioned the neighborhood hoped Murphy’s physique would be capable to be returned for the household to have a “correct, respectful burial and a celebration of her life”.
“Everyone had monumental empathy for Mick Murphy, Samantha’s husband, after which additionally the youngsters as nicely,” Hudson mentioned.
He defined why he thought the story touched so many individuals regionally, nationally and internationally.
“I believe it is the truth that Sam was a mum of three. She set out on a Sunday morning to go for a peaceable jog to one in every of our common leisure areas and he or she ought to have been ready to try this with none interference and without changing into topic to violence.
”This was probably one thing that was mindless, that did not have to occur.
“Everybody simply says the identical, what a phenomenal human being that she was.”
He mentioned individuals in the neighborhood have been nonetheless looking in hopes of discovering one thing that might result in her physique.
”This doesn’t finish for the Murphy household.
“They may dwell with this for the remainder of their years.
“Yearly there will likely be moments of celebration at Easter and Christmas and birthdays that Samantha will not be part of, and that seat on the desk will eternally be empty.”
Stephenson confronted Ballarat Magistrates Courtroom yesterday morning, the place an interim suppression order that prevented the publication of his title, handle, and date of start was lifted.
A witness instructed The Age police have been visiting venues within the Ballarat CBD to gather footage of Stephenson, allegedly from the night time earlier than Murphy disappeared.
Stephenson is the son of ex-AFL participant Orren Stephenson.
