Samantha Murphy murder investigation LIVE: Fresh details emerge about alleged killer

A 22-year-old man from the small-town of Scotsburn appeared at Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Thursday afternoon charged with Ms Murphy's disappearance.

His name and picture had at that point been widely reported but his lawyer successfully applied for a gagging order, citing 'mental health issues'.

What we can reveal is that he is the son of a former Geelong and Richmond player.

His father used to bring him into the clubrooms and let him mix with the elite players, according to Nine Newspapers.

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.

Shocking way family of Samantha Murphy found out about key arrest

The shattered husband of missing mother-of-three Samantha Murphy has revealed a 22-year old arrested over her disappearance has been charged with her murder. 

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

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

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

A 22-year-old man from Scotsburn, was charged on Thursday -  just over four weeks after Samantha Murphy vanished on a morning run in Ballarat, in Victoria's Central Highlands.

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.

The 22-year-old man accused of killing Samantha Murphy was reportedly living between his own home and his parents’ home when he was arrested.

Neighbours recalled two lively sisters but struggled to remember the boy who reportedly used to ride his bike around the cul-de-sac.

'They were wonderful, absolutely wonderful neighbours,' one neighbour told Nine Newspapers.

'I didn’t really know [the man], I only really know girls.'

The neighbour said they had no inkling that anything allegedly untoward might have happened.

'I was totally amazed, I didn’t expect it at all, didn’t know what was going on, particularly when I got home [to the street] full of cars,' they said.

Another person said there was 'never anything going on' at the house now tied up in the alleged murder case.

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

'No,' he replied.

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.

Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton said detectives believe Ms Murphy died on 4 February - the day she disappeared.

'We will be alleging that murder occurred at Mount Clear on the day she disappeared,' Mr Patton said.

Despite a massive search effort involving police, SES and countless volunteers, Ms Murphy's boday is yet to be found.

Investigators are also in the process of reviewing about 12,000 hours of CCTV footage and following up over 500 separate pieces of information.

Daily Mail Australia takes a look back at how detectives got to this stage.

Timeline of Samantha Murphy's disappearance

The arrest marks the first significant breakthrough in what has become Victoria's highest priority police inquiry since the mother-of-three left her home in Victoria's Ballarat East to go for a run in nearby Woowookarung Regional Park at about 7am on February 4.

On Thursday afternoon, Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton said that the investigation was continuing at 'a very heavy pace' despite the murder charge.

'This investigation is far from over, though, obviously we’re going to be continuing to gather further evidence and will be taking further statements and investigations will continue at a very heavy pace,' Mr Patton told reporters.

'Importantly doing everything we can to locate Samantha's body for the family is absolutely vital and is something we will be focussing on.'

Samantha Murphy's father said he had no idea if his daughter knew her alleged killer.

John 'Pud' Robson, aged in his 80s, told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday morning the arrest of the 22-year-old man had taken the family by surprise.

Asked if his daughter had any connection to the alleged killer, he said: 'I haven't got the faintest, mate. Not in that age range'.

Police Chief Commissioner Patton confirmed that Ms Murphy's alleged killer was a stranger.

'It's my understanding this man is not known to the family,' Mr Patton said.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the 22-year-old man charged with Samantha Murphy's murder has not revealed where her body is.

‘We will be alleging that murder occurred at Mount Clear on the day she disappeared,' Mr Patton told reporters.

'In the interview with the suspect, he has not disclosed to police where Samantha’s body is.’

Mount Clear is around 5.7km from where Ms Murphy was last seen as she left her home on an early morning jog on 4 February.