A $500,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the discovery of the remains of murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio.
Bradley John Murdoch was sentenced to life in jail for the murder of the 28-year-old and the assault and attempted kidnap of his girlfriend Joanne Lees on the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek in July 2001.
It was one of Australia’s most notorious crimes, and has been the subject of multiple books, TV programs and documentaries in the decades since.
Murdoch is believed to have hidden Falconio’s body, and it has never been found despite extensive searches. The only trace of the murdered backpacker was a small blood stain at the point on the highway where he was shot in the head.
Lees hid in bushland for five hours while Murdoch hunted her with his dog. She eventually managed to flag down a truck driver.
The reward, announced by Acting Commander Mark Grieve of the Northern Territory Police’s Crime and Intelligence Command on Wednesday, comes amid reports that Murdoch has only months to live and has been transferred from prison to palliative care in Alice Springs.
Murdoch, who has always maintained his innocence, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2019. The now 67-year-old initially received care at Royal Darwin Hospital.
Earlier in June, according to News Corp, Murdoch was transferred from Alice Springs Correctional Centre – where he had been held since 2022 – to palliative care at the town’s hospital.
The NT News said Murdoch – who is now wheelchair bound – had returned to the prison only to farewell inmates. The paper said it had been told Murdoch was “just about dead”.
The ABC, however, reports that Murdoch remains in prison.
Grieve said authorities “still hold out hope that someone will be able to provide some vital information to assist in this search”.
“As such, a fresh reward for information is now on offer of up to $500,000 – for information that leads to the discovery of Peter’s body,” he said.
“We’re asking for anyone that may believe they have information that can assist to please come forward and contact police … We recognise the passage of time that’s transpired. However, it’s never too late to reach out and at least start that conversation with police.”
Grieve said police had repeatedly questioned Murdoch, including this week.
“Unfortunately the outcome of those conversations rest with Mr Murdoch. On all occasions, he has chosen not to positively engage with police,” he said.
“There may be someone out there that he’s confided in — whether that’s family and friends — we just don’t know.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to up the ante in regards to the reward.
“We think there’s still people out there that may hold some information.”
Grieve said police had also spoken to Mr Falconio’s family within the past 24 hours.
“We keep them appraised of what we’re doing … any new information and leads. They’re appreciative of the ongoing commitment we’re providing,” he said.
Murdoch was not arrested until 2003, and was convicted of murder and assault in 2005.
The former truck driver lodged two appeals against his conviction; both were unsuccessful. In June 2007, the High Court of Australia refused him special leave to appeal.
His life sentence had a non-parole period of 28 years, which would expire in 2032. While he is likely to die before then, the NT’s “no body, no release” laws mean he would also remain in jail unless he reveals where he hid Falconio’s body.
-with agencies
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