In a dramatic new development in the mysterious case of missing Australian woman Samantha Murphy, her family has firmly insisted she was “alert and in perfect health” right up until the moment she vanished — yet fresh details have emerged that have left investigators and loved ones reeling.

The 51-year-old mother of three from Ballarat, Victoria, disappeared on Sunday, February 4, 2024, during what was meant to be a routine morning jog on the popular Eureka Track near her home. Now, her family has revealed two startling pieces of information: on the day she went missing, Samantha ran only half her usual distance, and a chilling, handwritten message was found scrawled on her water bottle — a discovery that has stunned the entire family and reignited public fascination with the case.

Despite these unsettling clues, her loved ones continue to assert that Samantha showed no signs of distress or illness before heading out. “She was happy, healthy, and looking forward to her run,” a family spokesperson said in a statement released today. “There was absolutely nothing unusual about her behavior that morning.”

The Shorter Run: A Sudden Change in Routine

Samantha was known for her disciplined fitness routine. Friends and family say she typically completed a 12–14 km loop on the Eureka Track — a well-trodden trail in the Buninyong area — in roughly 90 minutes. On the morning she disappeared, however, she covered only about 6–7 km before vanishing.

Her Apple Watch data, recovered by police, confirms she stopped abruptly mid-run. The sudden halving of her usual distance has raised immediate questions: Did something cause her to turn back early? Was she feeling unwell? Or did she encounter someone or something unexpected?

Police have repeatedly described the track as “heavily trafficked” on weekends, with dozens of walkers, runners, and mountain bikers usually present. Yet no one has come forward claiming to have seen Samantha after she began her run.

The Cryptic Message on the Water Bottle

The most haunting detail, however, is the handwritten note discovered on Samantha’s water bottle, which she left behind at home before heading out. According to family sources who spoke exclusively to this outlet, the message — written in Samantha’s own handwriting — reads: “If I don’t come back, check the third gate.”

The bottle was found on the kitchen bench, exactly where she always placed it after filling it. The family says they had never seen the note before and have no idea what “the third gate” refers to. The Eureka Track has several access gates along its length, but none are officially numbered, and locals are now scouring maps and memories to identify what she might have meant.

The discovery has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Ballarat community. “It’s the kind of thing that keeps you up at night,” one relative told reporters. “She was always so careful, so prepared. Why would she write something like that?”

Family Stands Firm: “She Was Completely Fine”

Despite the alarming new details, Samantha’s family remains adamant that she showed no signs of concern or danger. They describe her as upbeat, excited about an upcoming family holiday, and in excellent physical condition. “She was laughing and chatting with us that morning,” her husband said in a previous interview. “There was no hint of anything wrong.”

Her three children — two daughters and a son — have been shielded from the more distressing aspects of the investigation but have joined public appeals for information, holding signs reading “Bring Mum Home.”

Police Response and Ongoing Search

Victoria Police have confirmed they are treating the message as a potential clue and are examining every gate and entry point along the Eureka Track and surrounding bushland. Drones, cadaver dogs, and ground teams have been deployed repeatedly, but no trace of Samantha has been found — no clothing, no footprints, no signs of struggle.

Investigators have not ruled out foul play, accident, or voluntary disappearance, though the family strongly rejects the last possibility. “Samantha would never leave her children,” her sister said. “She adored her family. This is completely out of character.”

A $200,000 reward remains in place for information leading to her safe return or the resolution of the case.

A Nation Watches and Waits

The case of Samantha Murphy has gripped Australia for nearly two years, with her smiling face on billboards, social media campaigns, and nightly news updates. The new revelations — the shortened run and the eerie water-bottle message — have reignited hope that a breakthrough may be near, while deepening the mystery surrounding her disappearance.

For her family, the wait continues. They cling to the belief that Samantha is out there somewhere, alert and in perfect health, and that one day soon she will walk through the door again.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.