Newly released footage shows Bradley John Murdoch, the convicted killer of British backpacker Peter Falconio, aggressively denying any knowledge of his victim's body location during a police interview conducted weeks before Murdoch's death.
The Northern Territory Police released the body-worn camera vision on Saturday, days before the 25th anniversary of the 2001 killing. Murdoch, who died in Alice Springs Hospital in July 2025 from throat cancer, served a life sentence for murdering Mr. Falconio and the assault and attempted kidnapping of his girlfriend, Joanne Lees. Despite his conviction, Murdoch consistently maintained his innocence and refused to disclose where Mr. Falconio's body was hidden.
In the interview, conducted less than a month before his death, an officer urged Murdoch to consider his answer, asking him to imagine if Peter Falconio were his son and someone knew where his body was. Murdoch responded with a profanity-laced tirade, stating he knew nothing and had maintained the same story for 22 years. "I'm not thinking about it. I've thought about, I thought about it for 22 fing years," he said. "I've been with these fellas for 22 years. They've all understood what's going on, I've said the same story over and over and over, and now you're here at the last minute because I'm fing dying."
Mr. Falconio, a 28-year-old Briton, disappeared on July 18, 2001, while traveling with Ms. Lees along the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek. Murdoch had reportedly signaled them to pull over, claiming their van had an engine problem. When Mr. Falconio went to investigate with Murdoch, Ms. Lees heard a gunshot. Murdoch then restrained Ms. Lees, covering her head and attempting to tie her up. She managed to escape and hid in the bushland for approximately five hours while Murdoch searched for her with his dog before she flagged down a truck driver.
Murdoch was arrested in November 2003 in connection with Mr. Falconio's disappearance. His arrest followed an acquittal in a separate South Australian case involving the alleged rape and false imprisonment of a 12-year-old girl. The DNA evidence from that SA case allowed NT Police to obtain Murdoch's DNA, which was later found on the makeshift handcuffs used on Ms. Lees and on her T-shirt, leading to his arrest.
The incident involving Mr. Falconio and Ms. Lees was the inspiration for the 2005 horror film "Wolf Creek." Northern Territory Police are continuing to appeal for information, offering a $500,000 reward for details leading to the discovery of Mr. Falconio's body. The force stated that 25 years is a significant milestone and they remain committed to bringing the investigation to its fullest conclusion. They believe there may still be individuals with information Murdoch might have shared or details never previously disclosed to the police.