Bradley Murdoch, the man convicted of murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio in 2001, passed away from throat cancer at the age of 67. While serving a life sentence at a prison in Alice Springs, Australia, Murdoch's death leaves critical questions unanswered, particularly the whereabouts of Falconio’s remains which he never disclosed. The Falconio family conveyed a mixed sense of relief and lingering hope, stating, "Even now we still hold out hope that his remains will be found."
Details of Murdoch's demise were released by the Department of Corrections, noting he died in a palliative care unit on July 15, a day after the 24th anniversary of the tragic event. The Northern Territory Police Force commented on the sorrow of losing the chance for answers, stating, "It is deeply regrettable that Murdoch has died without, as far as we are aware, ever disclosing the location of Peter Falconio's remains."
The murder case of Peter Falconio has remained one of Australia’s most notorious and high-profile criminal incidents, generating widespread media interest, particularly surrounding the details of the heinous crime. In July 2001, while traveling in a campervan near Barrow Creek with his girlfriend Joanne Lees, Murdoch shot Falconio and attempted to abduct Lees, who managed to escape.
The extensive police investigation into the case included over 600 persons of interest at its height, with British and Australian media intensely scrutinizing Lees and the unfolding events. Bradley Murdoch was ultimately convicted in 2005 for murder as well as attempted kidnapping and assault on Lees, a case that hinged on critical evidence including a hair elastic tied to his gun holster.
Despite his claims of innocence and unsuccessful attempts to appeal his conviction, Murdoch remained imprisoned under "no body, no parole" legislation established in 2016, meaning he wouldn’t be eligible for parole unless he revealed Falconio's body location.
Following Murdoch's death, Mr. Falconio's parents expressed a sense of relief, indicating that the weight of Murdoch's presence had lifted. They also emphasized their focus on their surviving family members, mourning the future they were deprived of with their son. Joanne Lees, who bravely escaped Murdoch and played a crucial role in the subsequent trial, and the lead investigator in the case both expressed disappointment that an opportunity for closure for the Falconio family has been lost.
As police continue their commitment to resolving this final piece of the investigation, there remains a standing reward of up to A$500,000 (£240,000) for information leading to the discovery of Peter Falconio's remains.
