Australian police have released previously unseen photographs from the investigation into the 2001 murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio, hoping the images will generate new leads in the long-unsolved search for his remains.
Falconio, from Huddersfield, England, was shot on a remote section of the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek in Australia’s Northern Territory on July 14, 2001. His body has never been found.
The newly released photographs include a full-length image of convicted killer Bradley Murdoch during the police investigation, crime scene photographs, images of the couple’s orange Volkswagen Kombi camper van, and pictures showing injuries suffered by Falconio’s girlfriend, Joanne Lees, after she escaped the attack.
Lees managed to flee after Murdoch tied her wrists with cable ties and hid in nearby scrubland for several hours before flagging down a passing truck for help. One of the newly released images shows her visibly traumatized in the hours following the attack.
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole said the 25th anniversary of the murder was a significant milestone and urged anyone with information to come forward.
“While the offender has been brought to justice, this investigation cannot be considered complete until Peter Falconio’s remains are found and his family can finally lay him to rest,” Dole said.
Murdoch was convicted in 2005 of Falconio’s murder, the assault of Lees, and her attempted kidnapping after DNA evidence linked him to the crime. He maintained his innocence throughout his imprisonment and unsuccessfully appealed his conviction twice.
Murdoch died from throat cancer in prison last year at the age of 67 without revealing the location of Falconio’s body. Police recently released body-camera footage showing detectives interviewing him just days before his death in a final attempt to obtain information about the missing remains.
Commissioner Dole described Murdoch’s silence as deeply regrettable, saying it had denied Falconio’s family the closure they deserved.
Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to the investigation and continue to offer a reward of up to A$500,000 for information leading to the discovery of Peter Falconio’s remains.