Australian Police Provide Half-Million-Dollar Incentive to Locate British Backpacker Peter Falconio’s Remains | Northern Territory

Northern Territory authorities are offering a $500,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of the remains of British backpacker Peter Falconio, who was murdered in the Australian outback over 20 years ago. In July 2001, Falconio and his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, were traveling on a remote highway when Bradley John Murdoch stopped them, claiming their van had engine problems. Falconio went with Murdoch to investigate, and Lees heard a gunshot before Murdoch tied her up and covered her head. Lees managed to escape and hide for five hours before flagging down a truck driver. Murdoch was convicted of murder and attempted kidnapping in 2005 and sentenced to life imprisonment but never revealed the location of Falconio’s body. The case inspired the Australian film Wolf Creek. NT acting commander Mark Grieve said the murder had captured the country’s “heart” and “never gone away.” Despite continued efforts, Falconio’s body has never been located, leading to a renewed reward approaching the 24th anniversary of his death. Grieve believes there are still individuals who may hold information. Police have interviewed Murdoch and had regular contact with Falconio’s family, but the family hopes to bring closure to the case.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/25/peter-falconio-british-backpacker-australian-police-reward-ntwnfb