Latest news with #PeterFalconio
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Murdered Peter Falconio's grieving mum gives heartbreaking prediction after Outback Killer vows ‘deathbed declaration'
THE mum of murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio fears his killer, who is close to death with throat cancer, will never reveal where her son's body lies. The 28-year-old tourist who was shot dead by motor mechanic Bradley John Murdoch nearly 24 years ago and has never been found. 5 5 5 Joan Falconio spoke out today amid reports that Murdoch, now receiving end of life care after been transferred from prison, was set to make an "explosive" deathbed confession. There was confusion over whether he would take his secret with him or had "forgotten" where he dumped the traveller's remains. She said of the wheelchair-bound murderer: "We think he'll take that with him to the grave." "We just want to bring our son home after all these years but we're not sure we ever will. We don't think that will every happen." Asked how she felt about the notorious Outback killer, 67, being given palliative care, she said: "I don't have any feelings about him after taking Peter's life. I don't like to think about him." She revealed the family was not initially informed by either the British or Australian authorities that Murdoch was dying in hospital. They were contacted following major media attention across the globe. Speaking from her home near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, where she lives with husband Luciano, 80, Joan said: "As a family we are doing alright, life just has to go on." Joan, 77, who has three other sons, said they haven't travelled to Australia since a memorial was placed for 28-year-old Peter at a random spot in the Outback in 2016, which she described as "most fitting." She said: "We've not been out there, it is a long way, and we are not in the best of health." 'Killer' told man he 'tortured to death he was going to s**g his ex' Murdoch was convicted in 2005 of shooting dead Peter and ambushing his Brit girlfriend Joanne Lees before she made a harrowing escape on the night of July 14, 2001. The backpacker's body has never been found. Joan said: "We think he'll take that to the grave in his final act." He had tricked the couple as they drove on a remote highway between Alice Springs and Darwin in their VW Kombi camper van on a dream trip. The ruthless drug runner and murderer is now wheelchair-bound and "just about dead", a source has told the Northern Territory News. Joan has previously said: "My son's life stopped on a lonely road - shot dead by cowardly Murdoch, who will not reveal where or what he did with him. 5 5 "Our pain is always with us. We want to bring Peter home where he belongs, near his family." The lead investigator into the death of the tragic traveller has this week revealed that his killer will likely die before helping to locate his body. News of his terminal cancer battle prompted Northern Territory police to double their reward for information that led to the location to $500,000. Former NT police officer Colleen Gwynne has suggested the killer may not know where the body is body, reportedly saying: "There is potential that, with the stress that (Murdoch) was under, the fact that Joanne escaped and he had a victim that was now at large, that he may have forgotten exactly where he disposed of the body." However, true crime author Robin Bowles claims that the killer, jailed for life, will make an "explosive" deathbed statement to him but not share with detectives. Peter Falconio case timeline by Harvey Geh PETER Falconio was shot dead in the Australian outback while travelling with girlfriend Joanne Lees in July 2001. He was 28 years old when he was tragically shot by a man who flagged down the van he was driving. The man was 43-year-old drug smuggler Bradley John Murdoch. Murdoch shot Falconio in the head before bundling Lees into his car and binding her with cable ties. She managed to escape and hide in bushes for five hours, before she ran into the road and waved down a passing truck. Lees soon became a prime suspect in her boyfriend's murder after claims she appeared "emotionless" after the incident. But it was later revealed she had taken the sedative Valium to help her handle her horror ordeal. Police were never able to locate Falconio's remains. Reports in February 2023 detailed that police had found some bones near Alice Springs that were being tested to see if they were the remains of Peter Falconio. The reports were later rubbished with authorities stating: 'No human remains have been located by Northern Territory Police, and a search is not currently being conducted." Murdoch has launched several appeals against his conviction, but he remains in prison in the Northern Territory. He will be 74 years old when he is eligible for parole in 2032.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Outback killer' to make ‘explosive' deathbed declaration after murder of Brit Peter Falconio whose body was never found
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE notorious "Outback killer" is set to make an "explosive" final statement on his deathbed. Bradley John Murdoch was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019, almost two decades after he murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Bradley Murdoch was convicted of killing British backpacker Peter Falconio in the Australian Outback in 2001 5 Peter Falconio's remains have yet to be found 5 Peter, 28, and his girlfriend Joanne Lees before his brutal murder Peter, 28, and girlfriend Joanne Lees were on a road trip through the Australian Outback in 2001 when they were flagged down by a man in a truck and attacked. Murdoch shot Peter in the head before attacking Joanne and restraining her with cable ties in his car. Joanne managed to escape and hide in nearby bushes for five hours, before waving down a passing truck for help. Now, as Murdoch nears death, true crime author Robin Bowles, who sat down with the killer a few years ago, has revealed what she believes his final few words will be. She told 7NEWS: 'I know what they are, and they will be explosive. 'It's a shame they weren't able to be released earlier.." While Murdoch has always maintained his innocence, Bowles said: 'You can't sue a dead man, so if he's making the claims, and he's died - the proverbial might hit the fan.' This comes as cops have hiked their efforts to locate the tourist's remains which have yet to be found. Northern Territory police announced they would now offer $500,000 Australian dollars (£240,000) to anyone who comes forward with information that leads them to his body. 'Killer' told man he 'tortured to death he was going to s**g his ex' That's double the initial $250,000 (£120,000) offering. Acting Commander Mark Grieve said: "We recognise the passage of time that's transpired, however it's never too late to reach out and start that conversation with police. "There's still people out there who may hold some information. "This has been a protracted and long investigation in regards to trying to find Peter's remains and now is just the right time we feel to present this reward on offer." Who is Bradley John Murdoch? Bradley John Murdoch was convicted of killing British backpacker Peter Falconio in 2001 and is serving a life sentence for the crime. Police were never able to locate Falconio's body. Reports surfaced that bones were found near Alice Springs in February 2023, and that police were going to test them to see if they were a match for the murdered backpacker. Northern Territory police were quick to dismiss the claims as incorrect. Bradley was born on February 29, 1958, in Geraldton, Western Australia, to a mechanic and a hairdresser. He lived in Northampton and then Perth - where he reportedly joined a biker gang after dropping out of school aged 15. He was a drug smuggler who served 15 months for shooting at crowds celebrating at an Australian rules football match in 1995. Eight years later, just before he was charged with Peter's murder, he was charged with seven counts of abduction and rape, but later acquitted. He has always protested his innocence in the murder case. What happened to Bradley John Murdoch? Sixteen months after the incident, Murdoch was arrested and charged with Peter's murder thanks to Joanne's identification combined with DNA evidence. Murdoch pleaded not guilty to Peter's murder and to assaulting and attempting to kidnap Joanne. But he was unanimously convicted in 2005 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Murdoch launched several failed appeals against his conviction. 5 Murdoch was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2019
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
‘Outback killer' to make ‘explosive' deathbed declaration after murder of Brit Peter Falconio whose body was never found
THE notorious "Outback killer" is set to make an "explosive" final statement on his deathbed. Bradley John Murdoch was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019, almost two decades after he murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio. 5 5 Peter, 28, and girlfriend Joanne Lees were on a road trip through the Australian Outback in 2001 when they were flagged down by a man in a truck and attacked. Murdoch shot Peter in the head before attacking Joanne and restraining her with cable ties in his car. Joanne managed to escape and hide in nearby bushes for five hours, before waving down a passing truck for help. Now, as Murdoch nears death, true crime author Robin Bowles, who sat down with the killer a few years ago, has revealed what she believes his final few words will be. She told 7NEWS: 'I know what they are, and they will be explosive. 'It's a shame they weren't able to be released earlier.." While Murdoch has always maintained his innocence, Bowles said: 'You can't sue a dead man, so if he's making the claims, and he's died - the proverbial might hit the fan.' This comes as cops have hiked their efforts to locate the tourist's remains which have yet to be found. Northern Territory police announced they would now offer $500,000 Australian dollars (£240,000) to anyone who comes forward with information that leads them to his body. 'Killer' told man he 'tortured to death he was going to s**g his ex' That's double the initial $250,000 (£120,000) offering. Acting Commander Mark Grieve said: "We recognise the passage of time that's transpired, however it's never too late to reach out and start that conversation with police. "There's still people out there who may hold some information. "This has been a protracted and long investigation in regards to trying to find Peter's remains and now is just the right time we feel to present this reward on offer." Who is Bradley John Murdoch? Bradley John Murdoch was convicted of killing British backpacker Peter Falconio in 2001 and is serving a life sentence for the crime. Police were never able to locate Falconio's body. Reports surfaced that bones were found near Alice Springs in February 2023, and that police were going to test them to see if they were a match for the murdered backpacker. Northern Territory police were quick to dismiss the claims as incorrect. Bradley was born on February 29, 1958, in Geraldton, Western Australia, to a mechanic and a hairdresser. He lived in Northampton and then Perth - where he reportedly joined a biker gang after dropping out of school aged 15. He was a drug smuggler who served 15 months for shooting at crowds celebrating at an Australian rules football match in 1995. Eight years later, just before he was charged with Peter's murder, he was charged with seven counts of abduction and rape, but later acquitted. He has always protested his innocence in the murder case. What happened to Bradley John Murdoch? Sixteen months after the incident, Murdoch was arrested and charged with Peter's murder thanks to Joanne's identification combined with DNA evidence. Murdoch pleaded not guilty to Peter's murder and to assaulting and attempting to kidnap Joanne. But he was unanimously convicted in 2005 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Murdoch launched several failed appeals against his conviction. 5 5
Daily Telegraph
6 days ago
- Daily Telegraph
Peter Falconio's killer Bradley John Murdoch to make ‘explosive' deathbed declaration
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. The man responsible for one of Australia's most notorious murders has claimed he will make an 'explosive' deathbed statement. Bradley John Murdoch, 67, is close to death in Alice Springs, having been taken to palliative care from prison in recent weeks. Murdoch killed British tourist Peter Falconio and tried to kidnap Joanna Lees in outback NT in 2001. In 2005 Murdoch was found guilty of murder, and Mr Falconio's body has never been found. Murdoch will maintain his innocence, 7News reports, but has shared a statement with true crime author Robin Bowles. Peter Falconio was murdered in the NT outback before Joanna Lees managed to escape. 'I know what they are,' Ms Bowles told 7News. 'And they will be explosive. It's a shame they weren't able to be released earlier,' she said. 'You can't sue a dead man. So if he's making the claims and he's died, then the proverbial might hit the fan.' Further, 7News reports Murdoch will not be 'communicating positively with police', but detectives will again speak to him in his final days. This week, territory police doubled the reward to $500,000 for information leading to Mr Falconio's body. 'He's (Murdoch) not being too forthcoming in regards to engaging with police, but we will continue doing what we have to,' NT police acting commander Mark Grieve told media. 'The NT police still hold out hope that someone may be able to provide some vital information to assist in this search,' he said. Bradley John Murdoch always maintained his innocence. Picture: Patrina Malone 'We think there's still people out there that may hold some information.' 'There may be someone out there that he's confided in, whether or not that's family or friends, we just don't know.' Police had contacted Mr Falconio's family this week, Superintendent Grieve said. Mr Falconio's death had 'captured the heart of the country' when it occurred and 'never gone away', Superintendent Grieve said. On holiday from the UK, Mr Falconio, 28, and his girlfriend Ms Lees, then 27, were driving a Combi van north of Barrow Creek in central NT on July 14, 2001. Murdoch – a drug runner – waved them to the side of the road and shot Mr Falconio. Ms Lees was bound and placed in Murdoch's Land Cruiser but escaped and hid on the side of the road for hours before flagging down help. A jury unanimously found Murdoch guilty of murder in 2005. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 28 years, before 'no body, no parole' laws came into effect in 2016. Originally published as Peter Falconio's killer Bradley John Murdoch to make 'explosive' deathbed declaration
News.com.au
7 days ago
- News.com.au
Peter Falconio's killer Bradley John Murdoch to make ‘explosive' deathbed declaration
The man responsible for one of Australia's most notorious murders has claimed he will make an 'explosive' deathbed statement. Bradley John Murdoch, 67, is close to death in Alice Springs, having been taken to palliative care from prison in recent weeks. Murdoch killed British tourist Peter Falconio and tried to kidnap Joanna Lees in outback NT in 2001. In 2005 Murdoch was found guilty of murder, and Mr Falconio's body has never been found. Murdoch will maintain his innocence, 7News reports, but has shared a statement with true crime author Robin Bowles. 'I know what they are,' Ms Bowles told 7News. 'And they will be explosive. It's a shame they weren't able to be released earlier,' she said. 'You can't sue a dead man. So if he's making the claims and he's died, then the proverbial might hit the fan.' Further, 7News reports Murdoch will not be 'communicating positively with police', but detectives will again speak to him in his final days. This week, territory police doubled the reward to $500,000 for information leading to Mr Falconio's body. 'He's (Murdoch) not being too forthcoming in regards to engaging with police, but we will continue doing what we have to,' NT police acting commander Mark Grieve told media. 'The NT police still hold out hope that someone may be able to provide some vital information to assist in this search,' he said. 'We think there's still people out there that may hold some information.' 'There may be someone out there that he's confided in, whether or not that's family or friends, we just don't know.' Police had contacted Mr Falconio's family this week, Superintendent Grieve said. Mr Falconio's death had 'captured the heart of the country' when it occurred and 'never gone away', Superintendent Grieve said. On holiday from the UK, Mr Falconio, 28, and his girlfriend Ms Lees, then 27, were driving a Combi van north of Barrow Creek in central NT on July 14, 2001. Murdoch – a drug runner – waved them to the side of the road and shot Mr Falconio. Ms Lees was bound and placed in Murdoch's Land Cruiser but escaped and hid on the side of the road for hours before flagging down help. A jury unanimously found Murdoch guilty of murder in 2005.
