Northern Territory Police announce fresh $500,000 reward for information about British backpacker Peter Falconio's remains

Sky News AU

11 hours ago

Northern Territory Police have launched a fresh appeal for public help to locate the body of British backpacker Peter Falconio - announcing a new $500,000 reward - as his convicted killer Bradley Murdoch receives end-of-life care in hospital.
Acting Commander Mark Grieve fronted a press conference on Wednesday, confirming that nearly 24 years on from Mr Falconio's disappearance, police are still hoping to uncover information that could finally lead to the recovery of his remains.
'Peter's body has never been located, despite continued efforts by NT Police. We still hold hope that someone out there may have viable information to assist in this search.'
Commander Grieve confirmed a new reward of up to $500,000 is being offered for information that leads to the discovery of Mr Falconio's remains, with authorities hopeful that time may have shifted allegiances or opened up new lines of communication.
'With the 24th anniversary of Peter's death approaching next month, we are asking anyone who believes they can assist to please come forward," the senior NT Police officer said.
'The passage of time has transpired, but it's never too late to start a conversation with police. You just never know how beneficial your information may be.
'Essentially, sometimes you don't know what you know.'
Commander Grieve also confirmed police have repeatedly approached Murdoch in recent years for cooperation, but without success.
'We've made numerous approaches to Mr Murdoch through the years,' he said.
'Unfortunately, the outcome of those conversations rests with Mr Murdoch. He does not want to positively engage with police.'
The renewed appeal comes amid reports that Bradley John Murdoch, now 67, has been moved from prison into palliative care at Alice Springs Hospital, where he is reportedly receiving end-of-life treatment under supervision.
Murdoch, who was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019, is understood to have been transferred recently from Alice Springs Correctional Centre, where he had been serving a life sentence since 2022.
He is now housed within the hospital's palliative unit and is no longer incarcerated in a secure facility.
It's understood Murdoch has also been permitted to leave the hospital on escorted outings around Alice Springs, accompanied by senior corrections officers - a move that has sparked backlash given his continued refusal to reveal the location of Mr Falconio's body.
While he is not eligible for parole, the situation has reignited scrutiny over the Northern Territory's 'no body, no parole' laws, which block convicted murderers from parole unless they assist in locating their victims' remains.
Mr Murdoch was sentenced in 2005 to life imprisonment with a 28-year non-parole period.
He has never disclosed what happened to Mr Falconio's body and has consistently maintained his innocence.
Mr Murdoch was convicted of murdering 28-year-old Peter Falconio and attempting to abduct his girlfriend Joanne Lees, as they travelled through central Australia in July 2001.
Mr Falconia and his partner Joanne Lees were driving a Kombi van along the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek when Murdoch flagged them down, claiming their vehicle was emitting sparks.
As Mr Falconio went to inspect the back of the van, Mr Murdoch shot him dead, then attempted to kidnap Ms Lees - binding her and forcing her into his vehicle.
Ms Lees escaped into a nearby scrubland and hid for hours before flagging down a passing truck.
During the trial, prosecutors argued Mr Murdoch had disposed of Mr Falconio's body somewhere between Alice Springs and Broome - a vast region spanning nearly 2,000 kilometres.
Despite extensive searches, no trace of his remains has ever been found.
Murdoch's conviction was upheld after two appeals, and the High Court refused him leave to appeal in 2007.