Australian police have marked the 25th anniversary of the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio by releasing new, previously unseen photographs from the investigation. Authorities hope the images might aid in discovering the location of Mr. Falconio's remains.

Bradley John Murdoch was convicted in 2005 of murdering Mr. Falconio, 28, and assaulting his girlfriend Joanne Lees at gunpoint on a remote stretch of the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory on July 14, 2001. The couple, both from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, were traveling across Australia in a camper van when they were ambushed.

Murdoch, who died in July of last year after being diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019, is believed to have disposed of Mr. Falconio's body somewhere in the remote desert between Alice Springs and Broome, an area spanning over 1,200 miles. Despite extensive searches, Mr. Falconio's body has never been found.

The newly released images include those showing injuries sustained by Ms. Lees, such as marks and grazes on her elbow and wrists, consistent with an attempted abduction. Grazes on the arm of Joanne Lees following her attempted abduction by Bradley Murdoch Injuries sustained by Joanne Lees Other released photographs depict the orange Volkswagen Kombi camper van the couple was using, a footprint in the sand, and an image of Murdoch taken during the investigation. A footprint in the sand making up part of the investigation into Peter Falconio's murder

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole stated that the investigation into Mr. Falconio's murder will remain open until his remains are located. He expressed regret that Murdoch died without disclosing the burial location, denying Mr. Falconio's family and loved ones closure. 'Twenty-five years is a significant milestone, and the Northern Territory Police Force remains committed to bringing this investigation to its fullest conclusion and will continue to pursue every avenue available,' Dole said.

Murdoch shot Mr. Falconio in the head on the night of July 14, 2001. He then threatened Ms. Lees, restrained her hands with cable ties, and put her in his ute. Ms. Lees managed to escape while Murdoch was disposing of Mr. Falconio's body and hid in the bush for several hours. She eventually flagged down a truck and raised the alarm approximately five hours after the murder.

Murdoch consistently denied his guilt throughout his murder trial, where he was convicted in December 2005 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He lodged unsuccessful appeals, including a refused special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia in 2007. The only physical evidence of Mr. Falconio found at the scene was a small blood stain on the highway where the shooting occurred. Bradley John Murdoch