Samantha Murphy alleged murder investigation AS IT HAPPENS: Cops reveal their theory – follow our blog for all the essential updates

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said police will allege Ms Murphy was murdered on the day she disappeared – February 4.

It’s alleged she was killed in the Mount Clear area, less than 5 kilometres away from where Ms Murphy lived in Ballarat East.

Mr Patton said her alleged murderer has not told police where her body is.

Ms Murphy, 51, disappeared on February 4.

The man was arrested early on Wednesday morning and was charged on Thursday afternoon.

Police will provide an update on the case at 3.45pm on Thursday.

Police confirmed the alleged killer would appear before the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on a charge of murder on Thursday afternoon.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton refused to comment on many of the details surrounding Ms Murphy’s alleged murder.

He would not say if the accused was known to police, or how Ms Murphy was allegedly killed.

He would also not reveal if drugs or alcohol were involved in the alleged murder.

Commissioner Patton was also asked if the alleged killing was to do with a sexual nature.

‘I will not canvass any details to do with the evidence in respect of the murder,’ he said.

The family of Ms Murphy was informed of the 22-year-old’s arrest on Wednesday night.

They were told of the murder charge on Thursday afternoon.

Ms Murphy’s husband Mick and three children have cooperated with police throughout the investigation.

Ms Murphy’s accused murderer appeared at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon.

Despite objections from media, the court ruled the name of the man charged with her alleged murder would be suppressed.

A number of homes were searched in the vicinity of Scotsburn, Victoria on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old was arrested on Wednesday morning at his home in Scotsburn.

Commissioner Patton was asked by a reporter whether Ms Murphy’s death was the resulf of a hit-and-run.

He would not provide any details as to whether a car was involved at all in her alleged murder.

Police also believe the man was not known to Ms Murphy or her family.

Police Chief Commissioner Patton said police were not looking for any accomplice in Ms Murphy’s alleged murder.

‘He has been charged with murder so by its definition we are saying this was a deliberate attack on Samantha,’ he said.

He would not go into the alleged motive or details of the murder.

‘We are alleging that this is a deliberate attack that has resulted in the murder of Samantha,’ he said.

Commissioner Patton said Ms Murphy’s family were under ‘intense scrutiny’ throughout the investigation.

‘They were under intense scrutiny from the outset,’ he told reporters on Thursday.

‘They’ve been cooperating with us and provided everyting we needed and they’ve had no involvement whatsover.’