Peter Falconio murder 25 years on: new footage shows dying Australian outback killer’s refusal to reveal body’s location
Infamous killer Bradley John Murdoch aggressively denied knowing where the body of still-missing backpacker Peter Falconio was during a police interview weeks before he died.
NT Police released body-worn camera vision of the interview on Saturday, days before the 25th anniversary of the killing of the 28-year-old Brit on the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek, in July 2001.
Murdoch served a life sentence for murdering Falconio and the assault and attempted kidnapping of his girlfriend Joanne Lees but maintained his innocence and refused to divulge where he hid the body.
He died in Alice Springs hospital in July 2025 from throat cancer.
Less than a month earlier, NT Police made a last-ditch attempt to pry a confession from Murdoch and have him reveal where Falconio’s body was.
“I need you to have a think about if Peter Falconio was your son … and somebody knew something about where his body was,” an officer can be heard asking Murdoch.
“Don’t beat around the bush because I’m just going to cut you short every time OK?” Murdoch replied.
“I know nothing. I’ve said this for 22 years. I know nothing.”
After the officer asked Murdoch to think about his answer, he launched a foul-mouthed tirade strenuously denying any knowledge.
“I’m not thinking about it. I’ve thought about, I thought about it for 22 fucking years,” he said.
“I’ve been with these fellas for 22 years. They’ve all understood what’s going on, I’ve said the same story over and over and over, and now you’re here at the last minute because I’m fucking dying.”
The July 2001 incident gained worldwide attention and partly inspired the horror movie Wolf Creek.
The backpackers were travelling along the highway when Murdoch drove up behind them and indicated they should pull over, saying their van might have an engine problem.
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Falconio went behind the car with him to investigate and Lees heard a gunshot. Murdoch then cable-tied her and covered her head.
She escaped and hid in bushland for five hours while Murdoch hunted her with his dog, before she flagged down a truck driver.
Murdoch was arrested in November 2003 over Falconio’s disappearance after a South Australian jury acquitted him of raping and falsely imprisoning a 12-year-old girl.
The SA case allowed NT Police to obtain his DNA, which was later found on the makeshift handcuffs worn by Lees, as well as on her T-shirt, leading to his arrest.
NT Police are urging anyone with information to come forward, noting a $500,000 reward for knowledge of where Falconio’s body is.
“Twenty-five years is a significant milestone and NT Police remains committed to bringing this investigation to its fullest conclusion and will continue to pursue every avenue available,” the force said in a statement.
“There may still be someone who knows something, whether that be information they have never previously shared with police or something Murdoch said to them.”
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
NT police release body-worn camera vision of Bradley John Murdoch denying knowing where UK backpacker’s body is weeks before his death. Get our breaking news email , free app or…
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Infamous killer Bradley John Murdoch aggressively denied knowing where the body of still-missing backpacker Peter Falconio was during a police interview weeks before he died.
NT Police released body-worn camera vision of the interview on Saturday, days before the 25th anniversary of the killing of the 28-year-old Brit on the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek, in July 2001.
Murdoch served a life sentence for murdering Falconio and the assault and attempted kidnapping of his girlfriend Joanne Lees but maintained his innocence and refused to divulge where he hid the body.
He died in Alice Springs hospital in July 2025 from throat cancer.
Less than a month earlier, NT Police made a last-ditch attempt to pry a confession from Murdoch and have him reveal where Falconio’s body was.
“I need you to have a think about if Peter Falconio was your son … and somebody knew something about where his body was,” an officer can be heard asking Murdoch.
“Don’t beat around the bush because I’m just going to cut you short every time OK?” Murdoch replied.
“I know nothing. I’ve said this for 22 years. I know nothing.”
After the officer asked Murdoch to think about his answer, he launched a foul-mouthed tirade strenuously denying any knowledge.
“I’m not thinking about it. I’ve thought about, I thought about it for 22 fucking years,” he said.
“I’ve been with these fellas for 22 years. They’ve all understood what’s going on, I’ve said the same story over and over and over, and now you’re here at the last minute because I’m fucking dying.”
The July 2001 incident gained worldwide attention and partly inspired the horror movie Wolf Creek.
The backpackers were travelling along the highway when Murdoch drove up behind them and indicated they should pull over, saying their van might have an engine problem.
after newsletter promotion
Falconio went behind the car with him to investigate and Lees heard a gunshot. Murdoch then cable-tied her and covered her head.
She escaped and hid in bushland for five hours while Murdoch hunted her with his dog, before she flagged down a truck driver.
Murdoch was arrested in November 2003 over Falconio’s disappearance after a South Australian jury acquitted him of raping and falsely imprisoning a 12-year-old girl.
The SA case allowed NT Police to obtain his DNA, which was later found on the makeshift handcuffs worn by Lees, as well as on her T-shirt, leading to his arrest.
NT Police are urging anyone with information to come forward, noting a $500,000 reward for knowledge of where Falconio’s body is.
“Twenty-five years is a significant milestone and NT Police remains committed to bringing this investigation to its fullest conclusion and will continue to pursue every avenue available,” the force said in a statement.
“There may still be someone who knows something, whether that be information they have never previously shared with police or something Murdoch said to them.”
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
Infamous killer Bradley John Murdoch aggressively denied knowing where the body of still-missing backpacker Peter Falconio was during a police interview weeks before he died.
NT Police released body-worn camera vision of the interview on Saturday, days before the 25th anniversary of the killing of the 28-year-old Brit on the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek, in July 2001.
Murdoch served a life sentence for murdering Falconio and the assault and attempted kidnapping of his girlfriend Joanne Lees but maintained his innocence and refused to divulge where he hid the body.
He died in Alice Springs hospital in July 2025 from throat cancer.
Less than a month earlier, NT Police made a last-ditch attempt to pry a confession from Murdoch and have him reveal where Falconio’s body was.
“I need you to have a think about if Peter Falconio was your son … and somebody knew something about where his body was,” an officer can be heard asking Murdoch.
“Don’t beat around the bush because I’m just going to cut you short every time OK?” Murdoch replied.
“I know nothing. I’ve said this for 22 years. I know nothing.”
After the officer asked Murdoch to think about his answer, he launched a foul-mouthed tirade strenuously denying any knowledge.
“I’m not thinking about it. I’ve thought about, I thought about it for 22 fucking years,” he said.
“I’ve been with these fellas for 22 years. They’ve all understood what’s going on, I’ve said the same story over and over and over, and now you’re here at the last minute because I’m fucking dying.”
The July 2001 incident gained worldwide attention and partly inspired the horror movie Wolf Creek.
The backpackers were travelling along the highway when Murdoch drove up behind them and indicated they should pull over, saying their van might have an engine problem.
after newsletter promotion
Falconio went behind the car with him to investigate and Lees heard a gunshot. Murdoch then cable-tied her and covered her head.
She escaped and hid in bushland for five hours while Murdoch hunted her with his dog, before she flagged down a truck driver.
Murdoch was arrested in November 2003 over Falconio’s disappearance after a South Australian jury acquitted him of raping and falsely imprisoning a 12-year-old girl.
The SA case allowed NT Police to obtain his DNA, which was later found on the makeshift handcuffs worn by Lees, as well as on her T-shirt, leading to his arrest.
NT Police are urging anyone with information to come forward, noting a $500,000 reward for knowledge of where Falconio’s body is.
“Twenty-five years is a significant milestone and NT Police remains committed to bringing this investigation to its fullest conclusion and will continue to pursue every avenue available,” the force said in a statement.
“There may still be someone who knows something, whether that be information they have never previously shared with police or something Murdoch said to them.”
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
This lens runs the verified story through Cinnamon's AI — wired in the next step.
- NT police release body-worn camera vision of Bradley John Murdoch denying knowing where UK backpacker’s body is weeks before his death.
- Get our breaking news email , free app or…