The name of a man charged with murdering Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy can now be revealed, after media fought to have name suppression lifted.
Patrick Orren Stephenson, son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, has been charged with murdering 51-year-old Murphy, who went jogging more than a month ago and never returned.
Stephenson was arrested on Wednesday at a home near Ballarat and charged with murder on Thursday.
The 22-year-old is accused of killing Murphy at Mount Clear in Ballarat on February 4, the same day she went missing, however her body is yet to be found.
At a brief hearing on Thursday, Stephenson looked around the courtroom before staring straight ahead, according to 7News.
When he was asked if he could hear okay, he responded: "Yeah I can."
During the hearing prosecutors asked for 20 weeks to compile what they say is a "significant amount of material". That evidence will then be handed to the defence.
Stephenson remains in custody. His next court appearance is August 8.
He's not provided information on the whereabouts of Murphy's body, but police and a large number of concerned locals continue searching.
According to 7News, Murphy's husband described the past few weeks as "s***house" but that the recent development was a relief.
No one else is being sought in relation to the murder.
