Fresh concerns raised as search for missing Victorian mum enters fourth day

Chilling new details have emerged about the area where a Victorian mum vanished four days ago.

Samantha Murphy, 51, left her home on Eureka St in Ballarat East about 7am on Sunday but failed to return, fuelling concerns for her welfare as temperatures soared to 36C across the area.

She told her husband she was heading out on her regular 20km run through the Canadian State Forest but has not been seen since.

Local resident Donne Crouch has since raised concerns about an unusual feature in the forest.

A large-scale search is underway for a Ballarat East woman who has been missing since early Sunday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Samantha Murphy, 51, has been missing for four days. Picture: Supplied

She was last seen leaving a home in Ballarat East. Picture: Supplied

“That’s the biggest concern, that there are mineshafts out there that aren’t very noticeable in some areas,” he told Nine.

Ms Murphy’s husband told the Herald Sun his wife runs in the area daily but said he was worried as time wears on.

“It’s just up in the air, we don’t know,” he said.

“It’s just a whole time thing at the end of the day.”

Police are appealing for help finding 51-year-old Samantha, last seen leaving her Eureka St for a run in Canadian State Forest at about 7am on Sunday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

A major search operation is entering its fourth day, involving local police, officers from the Dog Squad, the mounted branch, and Air Wing.

State Emergency Service, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Parks Victoria personnel are also involved in the search.

Police and family have concerns for her welfare due to the hot weather on Sunday and her disappearance being “out of character”.

Officers and SES volunteers searched the state forest behind Buninyong Golf Club. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

“Obviously, yesterday was a hot day … there (is) obviously increased risk there because of the heat,” Acting Inspector Lisa McDougall said on Monday.

“It raises the urgency of the search for us and obviously we account for the fact that will have an impact on someone’s health.”