Outback killer Bradley Murdoch dies, taking secret to the grave
Notorious outback killer Bradley John Murdoch, who murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio in the Northern Territory in 2001, has died.
The 67-year-old reportedly died from throat cancer at Alice Springs Hospital on Tuesday night after being given a terminal diagnosis in 2019.
He had been transferred from the Alice Springs Correctional Centre to a palliative care unit last month.
Northern Territory Police released a brief statement on Wednesday morning.
“The Northern Territory Police Force acknowledges the death of Bradley John Murdoch, the man convicted of the 2001 murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio near Barrow Creek,” it said.
Murdoch had been serving a life sentence for killing Falconio and assaulting and attempting to kidnap his girlfriend Joanne Lees on the Stuart Highway in July 2001.
Murdoch, who denied responsibility, had long refused to reveal where he hid the body and will take that secret to his grave.
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In June, NT Police announced a $500,000 reward — double the previous incentive — for information leading to Falconio’s remains.
NT Police said Murdoch had been asked for information numerous times.
“On all occasions he’s chosen not to positively engage with police,” acting commander Mark Grieve said.
Bradley Murdoch being arrested in Adelaide in 2003. Photo: AAP
The case involving two British backpackers touring Australia in a camper van attracted global media attention.
Falconio and Lees were on the Stuart Highway north of Alice Springs on July 14, 2001, when Murdoch drove up behind them, the murder trial heard.
He indicated for the couple to pull over, saying their van might have an engine problem.
Once they had stopped, Falconio went behind the car with Murdoch to investigate. Then Lees heard a gunshot.
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Murdoch then cable-tied her and covered her head, but she escaped and hid in bushland for hours while he tried to hunt her down.
He is believed to have hidden Falconio’s body, which has never been found despite extensive searches.
The remote stretch of Stuart Highway where Peter Falconio is believed to have been murdered. Photo: AAP
Four years later, Murdoch was convicted of the execution-style shooting murder of Falconio. He was given a life sentence with a non-parole period of 28 years.
Grieve said police wanted to solve the case in full.
“You want to try to at least bring some sliver of resolution to Peter’s family, by bringing home his remains,” he said.
“We recognise the passage of time that’s transpired. However, it’s never too late to reach out and start that conversation with police.
“There may be someone out there he’s confided in. Whether or not that’s family or friends, we just don’t know.”
Falconio, 28, and Lees, 27, were travelling around Australia. Photo: AAP
There was previously a $250,000 reward for information that could help convict Falconio’s killer. There were several applications to share in the funds after Murdoch’s conviction.
-with AAP
