Bradley John Murdoch fatally shot British tourist Peter Falconio, 28, some 24 years ago, with the victim’s body having never been found in the decades following his murder
Bradley John Murdoch, better known as the “Outback killer” has died aged 67, taking details of British murder victim Peter Falconio to his grave.
Murdoch was previously diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019 and was transferred to a palliative care unit in Alice Springs Correctional Centre, in Northern Territory, Australia. Murdoch shot and killed Brit backpacker Peter and his body has not been found in the years since.
Murdoch died overnight at Alice Springs Hospital after he was released from prison. He had previously been service a life sentence for Peter’s murder following a guilty verdict in December 2005.
Just hours ago, Peter’s dad Luciano gave an interview on the 24th anniversary of the day his son was killed – July 14, 2001. He spoke following reports Murdoch only had days to live.
The 83-year-old said he did not know if he and wife Joan would “live long enough” to ever find out where their son’s body is located. Luciano said: “Today is an important day. It is very significant, I wish I could find him and make an end to it, bury him.
“[I want to] find where he is buried and what happened to him, even me, I don’t know. I know what happened but I don’t know where he is. I still hope, yeah I still hope, but I don’t know, if we [will] live long enough.”
A massive reward appeal was recently launched in a desperate plea for information. Peter was killed after Murdoch managed to persuade him and his British partner Joanne Lees to pull over late at night as they drove through the outback between Alice Springs and Darwin during a backpacking holiday.
Ms Lees was bound with cable ties by Murdoch, although she managed to escape and hid in the bush for five hours before she managed to wave down a passing vehicle to seek help. Murdoch had always denied murdering Peter.
Mr Falconio said in his latest interview that he had a message for people in Australia. He said: “Thank every Australian, because I have got nothing against Australia,” he said. “Most people are [supportive].”