After decades of mystery, one detail might finally shift the Falconio case
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Content warning: This article contains distressing content, including violence and murder.
For 24 years, the mystery of Peter Falconio’s final resting place haunted Australia.
Now, the man convicted of his murder is dead—taking the secret with him.
But it’s the convicted killer’s family’s public tribute that’s left many reeling.
Bradley John Murdoch, who was sentenced to life in prison for the 2001 murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio, died at Alice Springs Hospital after a battle with throat cancer.
The 67-year-old was released from the Alice Springs Correctional Centre last month and placed in palliative care, just weeks before his death.
He passed away on 15 July—one day after the 24th anniversary of the brutal outback killing.
Murdoch was found guilty in December 2005 and handed a life sentence with a non-parole period of 28 years.
He maintained his innocence until the end, and never disclosed the location of Falconio’s body—denying the victim’s family the closure they’ve long sought.
NT Police confirmed his death on Wednesday, calling it ‘deeply regrettable’ that Murdoch had died without revealing what happened to Falconio’s remains.
‘His silence has denied the Falconio family the closure they have so long deserved,’ police said.
‘Our thoughts are with the Falconio family in the United Kingdom, whose grief continues.’
On 14 July 2001, Peter Falconio and his girlfriend Joanne Lees were travelling along the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek, more than 200 kilometres north of Alice Springs, when they were flagged down by Murdoch.
Pretending their van was sparking, Murdoch lured the couple out before shooting Falconio in the head and abducting Ms Lees.
She managed to escape, hiding in the bush for hours before flagging down a truck driver.
During the trial, it was revealed that Murdoch loaded Falconio’s body into his vehicle before disposing of it somewhere between Alice Springs and Broome—a distance of nearly 2,000 kilometres.
‘The case isn’t closed until they find Peter,’ former NT Police assistant commissioner John Daulby once said.
Murdoch appealed his conviction twice and was denied special leave by the High Court in 2007.
Under the Northern Territory’s ‘no body, no parole’ laws, introduced in 2016, Murdoch would have been ineligible for parole unless he disclosed the location of Falconio’s remains.
Following his 2019 cancer diagnosis, Murdoch reportedly refused treatment and left his prison job as a pastry chef.
In the final days before his death, Murdoch’s family released a shock statement that painted a starkly different picture of the convicted killer.
‘To many, Bradley Murdoch is known only for the events that led to his conviction in 2005 for the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio… But to those who truly knew him, he was much more than the headlines,’ they wrote.
They described him as a ‘devoted father’, ‘proud Poppy’, and a man ‘deeply loved’ by those close to him.
‘He was a gentle giant with a heart of gold…known for his quick wit…and incredible skills in the kitchen,’ the statement continued.
They also claimed he had been betrayed by a former lawyer who falsely claimed to be working with top barristers on a last-ditch Petition for Mercy.
‘It was later revealed that all three KCs had not been involved in Brad’s matter for years… This revelation was a crushing blow,’ the family said.
‘Our intention is simply to share the man we knew… the version of him that was rarely, if ever, seen beyond our family and close friends.’
Luciano Falconio, Peter’s 83-year-old father, marked the anniversary of his son’s death by renewing his desperate plea for answers.
‘I wish I could find him and make an end to it, bury him…find where he is buried and what happened to him,’ he said.
‘I still hope, yeah I still hope, but I don’t know, if we (will) live long enough.’
NT Police recently launched a renewed appeal for information, offering a $500,000 reward for credible leads that lead to the discovery of Falconio’s body.
‘We’re asking for anyone that may believe they have information…to please come forward,’ Acting Commissioner Mark Grieve said at a press conference.
He confirmed police had tried multiple times to speak to Murdoch again but were repeatedly met with silence.
‘On all occasions, he has chosen not to positively engage with police.’
Authorities said they remained committed to resolving the case.
‘We have been unwavering in that regard in the 24 years up to this point,’ Acting Commissioner Grieve said.
Disappearance cases often leave more questions than answers—and for loved ones, the search rarely ends when headlines fade.
Just like in the case of Peter Falconio, one family is pleading for help as they try to make sense of a loved one’s sudden vanishing.
If you found this story confronting, here’s another real-life mystery that continues to unfold.
Read more: 'Please help us': Mysterious disappearance rocks family, calls for support online
How do you say goodbye when there’s no grave to visit and no truth to hold onto?
For 24 years, the mystery of Peter Falconio’s final resting place haunted Australia.
Now, the man convicted of his murder is dead—taking the secret with him.
But it’s the convicted killer’s family’s public tribute that’s left many reeling.
Bradley John Murdoch, who was sentenced to life in prison for the 2001 murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio, died at Alice Springs Hospital after a battle with throat cancer.
The 67-year-old was released from the Alice Springs Correctional Centre last month and placed in palliative care, just weeks before his death.
He passed away on 15 July—one day after the 24th anniversary of the brutal outback killing.
Falconio killer dies after cancer battle. Image source: Falconio Family
Murdoch was found guilty in December 2005 and handed a life sentence with a non-parole period of 28 years.
He maintained his innocence until the end, and never disclosed the location of Falconio’s body—denying the victim’s family the closure they’ve long sought.
NT Police confirmed his death on Wednesday, calling it ‘deeply regrettable’ that Murdoch had died without revealing what happened to Falconio’s remains.
‘His silence has denied the Falconio family the closure they have so long deserved,’ police said.
‘Our thoughts are with the Falconio family in the United Kingdom, whose grief continues.’
On 14 July 2001, Peter Falconio and his girlfriend Joanne Lees were travelling along the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek, more than 200 kilometres north of Alice Springs, when they were flagged down by Murdoch.
Pretending their van was sparking, Murdoch lured the couple out before shooting Falconio in the head and abducting Ms Lees.
She managed to escape, hiding in the bush for hours before flagging down a truck driver.
During the trial, it was revealed that Murdoch loaded Falconio’s body into his vehicle before disposing of it somewhere between Alice Springs and Broome—a distance of nearly 2,000 kilometres.
‘The case isn’t closed until they find Peter,’ former NT Police assistant commissioner John Daulby once said.
Murdoch appealed his conviction twice and was denied special leave by the High Court in 2007.
Under the Northern Territory’s ‘no body, no parole’ laws, introduced in 2016, Murdoch would have been ineligible for parole unless he disclosed the location of Falconio’s remains.
Following his 2019 cancer diagnosis, Murdoch reportedly refused treatment and left his prison job as a pastry chef.
In the final days before his death, Murdoch’s family released a shock statement that painted a starkly different picture of the convicted killer.
‘To many, Bradley Murdoch is known only for the events that led to his conviction in 2005 for the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio… But to those who truly knew him, he was much more than the headlines,’ they wrote.
They described him as a ‘devoted father’, ‘proud Poppy’, and a man ‘deeply loved’ by those close to him.
‘He was a gentle giant with a heart of gold…known for his quick wit…and incredible skills in the kitchen,’ the statement continued.
They also claimed he had been betrayed by a former lawyer who falsely claimed to be working with top barristers on a last-ditch Petition for Mercy.
‘It was later revealed that all three KCs had not been involved in Brad’s matter for years… This revelation was a crushing blow,’ the family said.
‘Our intention is simply to share the man we knew… the version of him that was rarely, if ever, seen beyond our family and close friends.’
Luciano Falconio, Peter’s 83-year-old father, marked the anniversary of his son’s death by renewing his desperate plea for answers.
‘I wish I could find him and make an end to it, bury him…find where he is buried and what happened to him,’ he said.
‘I still hope, yeah I still hope, but I don’t know, if we (will) live long enough.’
NT Police recently launched a renewed appeal for information, offering a $500,000 reward for credible leads that lead to the discovery of Falconio’s body.
‘We’re asking for anyone that may believe they have information…to please come forward,’ Acting Commissioner Mark Grieve said at a press conference.
He confirmed police had tried multiple times to speak to Murdoch again but were repeatedly met with silence.
‘On all occasions, he has chosen not to positively engage with police.’
Authorities said they remained committed to resolving the case.
‘We have been unwavering in that regard in the 24 years up to this point,’ Acting Commissioner Grieve said.
Disappearance cases often leave more questions than answers—and for loved ones, the search rarely ends when headlines fade.
Just like in the case of Peter Falconio, one family is pleading for help as they try to make sense of a loved one’s sudden vanishing.
If you found this story confronting, here’s another real-life mystery that continues to unfold.
Read more: 'Please help us': Mysterious disappearance rocks family, calls for support online
How do you say goodbye when there’s no grave to visit and no truth to hold onto?
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