Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad will today lead a targeted search of the Mount Clear area as part of their investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Ballarat East woman Samantha Murphy.
This extensive search will involve a significant number of detectives from across Crime Command and other specialist commands, as well as local police.
They will focus on an area highlighted by intelligence derived from phone data.
Extensive searches have been conducted throughout the Canadian Forest area since Samantha's disappearance almost three weeks ago, however no trace of her has been located at this time.
These searches have involved a range of specialist units from across Victoria Police and many local community members have also volunteered their time to assist the search.
The 51-year-old was last seen leaving her property on Eureka Street to go for a run, about 7am Sunday, 4 February.
Samantha was known to regularly run through the Canadian Forest area.
Police are treating her disappearance as suspicious due to the length of time she has been missing and given no trace of her has been found.
The Missing Persons Squad has primacy of the investigation and that team has been further expanded with experienced detectives from a number of units across Crime Command and other specialist areas.
The team will also continue to work closely with local police.
Investigators are currently in the process of reviewing about 12,000 hours of CCTV footage and following up over 500 separate pieces of information.
Police are again releasing two images of Samantha in the hope someone recognises her and can provide any information about her movements since Sunday, 4 February.
One of the images was captured on her home CCTV system before she left for her run on the Sunday morning.
Police are continuing to ask everyone in the Ballarat East and Mount Helen areas, particularly around the Canadian Forest, to check their CCTV for any possible sightings over the past three weeks.
Detectives are also urging anyone travelling through the area, particularly between 7am and 7pm on Sunday 4 February, who may have dash-cam footage to also check this for possible sightings.
A number of items have been located during the search for Samantha, however these have since been assessed and at this time are not believed to be related to her disappearance.
There is also no evidence to suggest Samantha's disappearance is linked to any other incidents in the area at this time.
Police and family have significant concerns for Samantha's welfare due to the length of time she has been missing and her disappearance is considered extremely out of character.
Samantha is described as Caucasian, about 173cm tall with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair.
She was last seen wearing black half-length leggings and a maroon/brown coloured singlet.
Anyone who sights Samantha is urged to contact triple zero (000) immediately.
Anyone with any other information about Samantha's current whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt, Crime Command:
"Since Samantha's disappearance almost three weeks ago, a significant search and investigation has been undertaken in an effort to find her.
"We are keeping an open mind, but believe the most likely scenario is that her disappearance involves one or more parties.
"Given the extensive and detailed search that has already been undertaken, and the fact no sign of Samantha or her personal belongings has been located, we have ruled out any type of medical incident.
"There is also nothing to indicate that Samantha left the area of her own accord.
"I know that a lot of people, particularly those who live in the local Ballarat community, are extremely concerned about the fact we haven't yet located Samantha or who may be responsible for her disappearance.
"I want to reassure those members of the public that Victoria Police is doing everything we can to find out what has happened and provide some answers to Samantha's family and the broader community.
"We have also had immense public support for both the search and investigation, and I want to thank those people who have given up their time or provided information to police.
"I encourage anyone who does have information that could be relevant to this investigation - whether that's a person or vehicle seen in the area on that day, something unusual such as a damaged vehicle or property - to please come forward and speak to police or provide the information via Crime Stoppers.
"Finally, it's important that people continue to avoid unnecessary and unhelpful speculation because we don't want that to detract from the genuine investigation or potentially prevent anyone coming forward with information because they have a misconception about what has happened to Samantha.
"Police remain open to any and all possibilities, so if you know something or have seen something, then we want to hear from you."
