Family of missing Ballarat woman suspect foul play
The family of missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy have shared their theories behind the 51-year-old's disappearance, believing foul play may have been involved.
Samantha was last seen 12 days ago, in the early hours of the morning on February 4th when she went out for her daily run.
Now, Samantha's aunt and uncle have shared their theories on their niece's disappearance, both suggesting she may have been abducted.
"It's just like she's gone off the face of the Earth. There's nothing," Janice Robson, Samantha's aunt, told Daily Mail Australia.
"I would say that somebody would have been watching her. I can't think it would be anything else."
Mrs Robson said police had not been forthcoming with any information about the investigation other than what is already known among the general public.
"Any information (the police) have they'll sit on it. They don't want to spook anyone," Allan Robson said.
Their comments come just hours after Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton confirmed detectives now believe Ms Murphy's disappearance is suspicious, ramping up their investigation.
Mr Robson said his niece was financially secure and pondered whether someone may have hurt her in a robbery gone wrong, saying "Mick [Samantha's husband] had so many cars he couldn't fit them in his garage."
"I don't think it's an opportunist. I think it's been someone who has been stalking her. Someone who she didn't even know was stalking her."
He also went on to suggest the alleged stalker knew her patterns and daily routines, explaining why she went missing during her morning run.
The elderly couple said Ms Murphy was a clever and careful person who had the ability to defend herself if someone attempted to harm her.
"She would have put up a bloody good fight," Allan said.
"And I think if she suspected something, I don't think she'd hang about. She was a runner. She would have got out of that area," Mrs Robson added.
Image credits: 7News / Victoria Police