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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Crime & Justice

Peter Falconio murder: Killer's final denial over body's location revealed

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • New body-worn camera footage shows Bradley John Murdoch aggressively denying knowledge of Peter Falconio's body location weeks before his death.
  • Murdoch died in July 2025, serving a life sentence for the 2001 murder and assault of Joanne Lees.
  • NT Police released the footage ahead of the 25th anniversary of the killing, offering a $500,000 reward for information on the body's whereabouts.

Infamous killer Bradley John Murdoch aggressively denied knowing the location of Peter Falconio's body during a police interview conducted weeks before his death in July 2025. Northern Territory Police released body-worn camera footage of this interview on Saturday, just days before the 25th anniversary of the 28-year-old British backpacker's murder.

I need you to have a think about if Peter Falconio was your son … and somebody knew something about where his body was.

— OfficerAn officer attempts to get a confession from Bradley John Murdoch about the location of Peter Falconio's body.

Murdoch was serving a life sentence for murdering Falconio and for the assault and attempted kidnapping of Falconio's girlfriend, Joanne Lees. Despite his conviction, he consistently maintained his innocence and refused to reveal where he had hidden Falconio's body. The interview, a last-ditch effort by NT Police to obtain a confession, captured Murdoch's defiant stance.

In the footage, an officer implores Murdoch to consider the situation as if Peter Falconio were his own son. Murdoch responds with a foul-mouthed tirade, reiterating his consistent denial over 22 years. He expresses frustration at being questioned again so close to his death from throat cancer.

Don’t beat around the bush because I’m just going to cut you short every time OK?

— Bradley John MurdochBradley John Murdoch responds to an officer's attempt to elicit information about Peter Falconio's body.

The 2001 incident gained international notoriety and partly inspired the horror film "Wolf Creek." Falconio and Lees were traveling on the Stuart Highway when Murdoch stopped them, falsely claiming car trouble. After Falconio went to check the engine, Lees heard a gunshot. Murdoch then restrained Lees and hunted her with his dog before she escaped and flagged down a truck driver.

I know nothing. I’ve said this for 22 years. I know nothing.

— Bradley John MurdochBradley John Murdoch insists he has no knowledge of Peter Falconio's body's location.

Murdoch was arrested in November 2003. His DNA, found on makeshift handcuffs used on Lees and on her clothing, was crucial in his arrest. NT Police are urging anyone with information regarding the location of Peter Falconio's body to come forward, offering a $500,000 reward. They remain committed to concluding the investigation.

I’m not thinking about it. I’ve thought about, I thought about it for 22 fucking years.

— Bradley John MurdochBradley John Murdoch expresses frustration at repeated questioning about Peter Falconio's body.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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