A man accused of murdering Samantha Murphy has been hospitalized after reportedly attempting to take his own life. Patrick Orren Stephenson, 24, was transported from Melbourne Assessment Prison to a hospital on Friday for medical assessment, according to a spokesman for the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
Stephenson is accused of killing Ms. Murphy, who disappeared on February 4, 2024, while on a run near her Ballarat home in Victoria. Her family reported her missing later that day when she did not arrive for brunch. Stephenson was charged one month after Ms. Murphy vanished and has pleaded not guilty to murder.
Ms. Murphy's body has not been found. Extensive searches have been conducted in areas including Enfield State Park, Canadian Forest, and Buninyong Bushland Reserve. In May 2024, her credit cards, license, and iPhone were found in mud at the bottom of a dam in Buninyong.
Her disappearance prompted a significant outpouring of grief in the Ballarat community and across the nation, with numerous volunteers joining the search efforts. Police have stated their commitment to locating Ms. Murphy's remains, believing it is still possible to find her and return her to her family.