Australian police have marked the 25th anniversary of the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio by releasing previously unseen images from their investigation, in the hope it could lead police to Peter’s remains. Bradley John Murdoch was convicted in 2005 of murdering Mr Falconio, 28, and assaulting his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, at gunpoint on a remote stretch of road in Australia’s Northern Territory on July 14, 2001.
Background of the Case
Mr Falconio and Ms Lees, both from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, were travelling across the country in a camper van when they were ambushed by Murdoch on the isolated Stuart Highway. Murdoch was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for at least 28 years. He died in prison last year after being diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019, but never revealed the location of Mr Falconio’s remains.
Police Appeal for Information
To mark 25 years since Mr Falconio’s murder, Northern Territory Police have released new footage from the case. Northern Territory Police Force commissioner Martin Dole APM said the force would exhaust every possibility to find Mr Falconio’s remains and bring closure to his loved ones. ‘This was a traumatic and horrific event for Ms Lees, and for Peter’s family who have now gone such a long time without the answers they deserve,’ he said. ‘While a murderer has been held accountable for his crimes, this investigation can never be considered closed until Peter’s remains are found and his family can lay him to rest.’
‘It is deeply regrettable that Murdoch died without, as far as we know, ever disclosing the location of Peter’s remains. His cowardly silence has denied his family, friends and loved ones the closure they deserve,’ Commissioner Dole added.
Ongoing Commitment
He continued: ‘Twenty-five years is a significant milestone, and the Northern Territory Police Force remains committed to bringing this investigation to its fullest conclusion and will continue to pursue every avenue available. The release of new footage could lead police to Peter’s remains. There may still be someone who knows something, whether that be information they have never previously shared with the police or something Murdoch said to them.’
‘We continue to urge anyone with information relating to the location of Peter Falconio’s remains to come forward. No piece of information is too small; what may seem insignificant could prove critical in helping investigators finally resolve this case,’ he said.
Reward Offered
A reward of up to 500,000 Australian dollars (£260,000) has been offered for any information that leads directly to the discovery of Mr Falconio’s remains. Police are urging anyone with knowledge to come forward, no matter how insignificant it may seem.
