Latest news with #Falconio
Western Telegraph
28 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Australian police offer new reward in bid to find Peter Falconio's body
Bradley John Murdoch is serving a life sentence for killing the West Yorkshire man and attacking his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, on a remote highway in the Northern Territory in 2001. Murdoch was convicted in 2005 and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for at least 28 years (PA) Mr Falconio and Ms Lees, both from Yorkshire, were backpacking across the country in a camper van when they were ambushed down by Murdoch on the Stuart Highway, an isolated road that runs through the centre of Australia. Murdoch was convicted in 2005 and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for at least 28 years. He has never revealed the location of Mr Falconio's body. Acting Northern Territory Police commander Mark Grieve said police 'still hold out hope' someone may hold 'vital information' to aid in the search. 'In what will be the 24th anniversary of (Falconio's) death this July, being next month, we're asking for anyone who may believe they have information that can assist to please come forward and contact police,' he told media in Darwin. 'It's never too late to reach out, and at least start that conversation with police, because you just never know how beneficial that information that you may hold may be. British backpacker Peter Falconio and Joanne Lees 'We recognise the passage of time that's transpired, however, it's never too late to reach out and start that conversation with police.' Murdoch, 67, was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019 and was moved to palliative care from Alice Springs Correctional Centre earlier this month, according to local media reports. Mr Falconio and Ms Lees had been driving near the tiny settlement of Barrow Creek, around 188 miles north of Alice Springs, when Murdoch pulled up beside them claiming to have seen sparks coming from the Kombi van. He then shot Mr Falconio in the head as he inspected the vehicle, before forcing Ms Lees into his vehicle and binding her wrists with cable ties. She managed a daring escape, hiding in the outback scrub for hours before flagging down a passing truck. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Murdoch had likely disposed of the backpacker's body somewhere in the vast, remote expanse of desert between Alice Springs and Broome, covering more than 1,200 miles. Despite repeated searches, Mr Falconio's body has never been found. His killer has always maintained his innocence. British backpacker Peter Falconio's girlfriend Joanne Lees smiles as she leaves Northern Territory Supreme Court in Darwin (Wesley Johnson/PA) Ms Lees, who has since returned to the UK, told Australian current affairs programme 60 Minutes in 2017 she still wanted to 'bring him home'. 'Pete lost his life on that night, but I lost mine too,' she said at the time. 'I'll never be fully at peace if Pete's not found, but I accept that that is a possibility.' Murdoch lodged several unsuccessful appeals over the years, with Australia's highest court refusing to hear his case in 2007. He was not eligible for parole until 2033, but would have remained behind bars under 'no body, no parole' laws preventing him from being released if he refused to disclose Mr Falconio's whereabouts.
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
NT police offer $500,000 reward to find body of missing backpacker Peter Falconio
Northern Territory police has announced a $500,000 reward in a bid to locate the remains of a British backpacker who was murdered in the Northern Territory in 2001. Peter Falconio,28, and his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, were driving about 300km from Alice Springs, when they were flagged down by Bradley John Murdoch, who said they had mechanical issues. Falconio went behind the car with Murdoch to investigate the issue, when Lees heard a gunshot. Falconio was never seen again. Acting Commander Grieve said police want to bring 'resolution' to Falconio's family. '[Police] recognise that there are certain times when there is the potential for opportunities to be taken advantage of,' he said. 'We believe now is the right time, to come forward with a reward. 'There was a previous reward of up to $250,000, so we've upped that to up $500,000. 'It's like any ongoing police investigation. You want to solve it.' Murdoch cable-tied Lees and covered her head but she managed to escape and hid in bushland for five hours while Murdoch searched for her with his dog before she managed to flag down a truck driver. He has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty, but was convicted of murder in 2005. Several extensive police searches have failed to locate his remains. 'You want to try and at least bring some sliver of resolution to Peter's family, by bringing home his remains,' Grieve said. Murdoch, who has never divulged the whereabouts of Falconio's body, has remained silent. Currently serving a life sentence, Murdoch was this week transferred from jail into palliative care in Alice Springs Hospital. Stream free on
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Northern Territory Police announce fresh $500,000 reward for information about British backpacker Peter Falconio's remains
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.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Huge update on murdered backpacker
Northern Territory Police have announced a fresh appeal to find the remains of British backpacker Peter Falconio, who disappeared in a remote part of the NT nearly 24 years ago. Mr Falconio, 28 at the time, had been travelling on the NT's Stuart Hwy in a van with his girlfriend when a car driven by Bradley John Murdoch, 67, signalled for them to pull over. Mr Falconio was shot in the head, while Murdoch also attempted to abduct his girlfriend, Joanne Lee, binding her wrists with cable ties. Killed in 2001, Mr Falconio's body was never found. Murdoch was convicted of Mr Falconio's murder in 2005, and sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 28 years. Peter Falconio went missing nearly 24 years ago. Credit: Supplied During his trial it was revealed Murdoch had dumped Mr Falconio's body somewhere along the 2000km stretch between Alice Springs and Broome. His remains have never been found. Acting Commander Mark Grieve said it would be offering $500,000 as a reward for anyone who can provide information to the backpacker's whereabouts. 'In what will be the 24th anniversary of his death this July being next month, we're asking for anyone that may believe they have information that can assist to please come forward and contact police,' he told reporters. 'It's never too late to reach out, and at least start that conversation with police, because you just never know how beneficial that information that you may hold may be.' Accused murderer Bradley John Murdoch is reportedly on his deathbed. PHOTO/David HANCOCK Credit: News Corp Australia The renewed search comes after revelations on Tuesday that Murdoch had been taken into palliative care at the Alice Springs Hospital. Murdoch had been held at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre since 2022, before which he was held in Holtze prison in Darwin. He was described as 'just about dead' by a source speaking to the NT News, who said that Murdoch – who was convicted of the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio – was wheelchair bound. Murdoch was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019, and has always maintained his innocence.
Economic Times
9 hours ago
- Economic Times
Australia's most infamous killer is dying and still refuses to reveal where Peter Falconio's body is
Australias most infamous killer, Bradley Murdoch in palliative care Bradley John Murdoch, the man convicted of one of Australia's most chilling crimes, has reportedly been moved from prison to palliative care as he succumbs to terminal cancer. Murdoch, 67, is serving a life sentence for the 2001 murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio. According to NT News, the convicted killer was transferred from Darwin Correctional Centre to Alice Springs Hospital last week. Sources inside the facility say he was visibly frail, confined to a wheelchair, and said goodbye to fellow inmates on June 19. 'The Department of Corrections does not comment on the health of individual prisoners,' a spokesperson said. 'Additionally, we do not provide details about prisoner movements or escorts for operational security reasons.'Murdoch was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2019. While specific details remain under wraps, multiple media outlets report his condition has significantly worsened in recent months. Peter Falconio, 28, and his girlfriend Joanne Lees, 27, were travelling in a Kombi van through the remote outback north of Barrow Creek in the Northern Territory on July 14, 2001. They were flagged down by Murdoch, who was posing as a motorist in distress. Murdoch shot Falconio and attempted to abduct Lees, who was bound and forced into his vehicle. She escaped and hid in the bush for hours before flagging down a passing a massive search effort, Falconio's body has never been a drug smuggler with a long criminal history, was arrested more than a year later. A Darwin jury unanimously found him guilty of murder in 2005. He was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 28 the Northern Territory's 'no body, no parole' law, introduced in 2016, Murdoch will never be released unless he reveals the location of Falconio's his death may bring some a sense of finality, many, including Falconio's family, fear Murdoch will take the secret of Peter's final resting place to his Lees said in a rare interview in 2017, 'I love Pete so much. I want to bring him home. I need to bring him home.'As Murdoch spends his final days in hospital care, that hope now hangs in the balance.
