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Scottish Sun
27-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Murdered Peter Falconio's grieving mum gives heartbreaking prediction after Outback Killer vows ‘deathbed declaration'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Peter Falconio was murdered in the outback in 2001 and his body has never been found 5 He was murdered by Bradley John Murdoch - who is now close to death with cancer Credit: AFP 5 Peter was shot dead whilst his girlfriend managed to escape 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 Murdoch has been transferred to palliative care to live out his final days Credit: Getty 5 A toolbox containing cable ties and tape was presented as evidence to the jury Credit: Getty "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.
The Irish Sun
27-06-2025
- The Irish 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 Advertisement 5 Peter Falconio was murdered in the outback in 2001 and his body has never been found 5 He was murdered by Bradley John Murdoch - who is now close to death with cancer Credit: AFP 5 Peter was shot dead whilst his girlfriend managed to escape 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." Advertisement Asked how she felt about the 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." Advertisement Most read in The Sun Breaking Exclusive Exclusive 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 5 Murdoch has been transferred to palliative care to live out his final days Credit: Getty 5 A toolbox containing cable ties and tape was presented as evidence to the jury Credit: Getty "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. Advertisement News of his terminal cancer battle prompted Northern Territory police to double their reward for information that led to the location to $500,000. Read more on the Irish Sun 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.
Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Outback killer' to make 'explosive' deathbed declaration after murdering Brit
Bradley John Murdoch has reportedly been moved to palliative care and could make a shocking revelation about the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio before he dies An Aussie Outback killer who brutally killed a British backpacker could soon make an "explosive" statement as he nears death. Bradley John Murdoch, who is dying from terminal throat cancer, is serving a life sentence for killing Peter Falconio and attacking his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, on a remote highway in the Northern Territory back in 2001. Mr Falconio, 28, and his partner, both from Yorkshire, were on a road trip in their VW Kombi campervan between Alice Springs and Darwin when they were flagged down by Murdoch and attacked. Mr Falconio was fatally shot in the head while Ms Lees was chucked in the attacker's car with her wrists bound with cable ties. Miraculously she managed to escape and hid in the bushes for five hours before flagging down a passing truck. Now, nearly 24 years on, Murdoch is nearing death himself after he was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019. He was moved to palliative care from Alice Springs Correctional Centre earlier this month and according to true crime author Robin Bowles, who sat down with the killer a few years ago, he could make an 'explosive' statement in his final words. 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. You can't sue a dead man, so if he's making the claims, and he's died - the proverbial might hit the fan.' Murdoch has never revealed the location of Mr Falconio's body and in a desperate attempt to find the tourist's remains, Australian police this week announced a huge 500,000 Australian dollar (£238,670) reward for information that leads to the discovery of the British backpacker's remains. Police said ahead of the 24th anniversary of the murder next month they held out 'hope' that someone would now come forward. Acting Northern Territory Police commander Mark Grieve said: 'In what will be the 24th anniversary of (Falconio's) death this July, being next month, we're asking for anyone who may believe they have information that can assist to please come forward and contact police. It's never too late to reach out, and at least start that conversation with police, because you just never know how beneficial that information that you may hold may be. We recognise the passage of time that's transpired, however, it's never too late to reach out and start that conversation with police." Murdoch, 67, has always denied the killing and protested his innocence during the 2005 murder trial. After seven weeks he was found guilty of murdering Mr Falconio and assaulting and attempting to kidnap Ms Lees. Northern Territory Police have previously searched swathes of land close to the crime scene but Mr Falconio's remains have never been found. Murdoch was spotted on CCTV at a petrol station in Alice Springs - about 190 miles south of the crime scene - in the hours after the attack. He is then said to have driven around 800 miles through the night and the following day across the inhospitable Tanami Track, reaching Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia at about 8pm. He was arrested and charged with the murder of Mr Falconio 16 months after the attack, thanks to DNA evidence and Ms Lees identifying him. Ms Lees, who has since returned to the UK, told Australian current affairs programme 60 Minutes in 2017 she still wanted to "bring him home". "Pete lost his life on that night, but I lost mine too," she said at the time. "I'll never be fully at peace if Pete's not found, but I accept that that is a possibility."
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Expert's chilling theory about why Peter Falconio's body may never be found - as claims emerge of killer's 'explosive' last words
The lead investigator into the death of British tourist Peter Falconio has revealed why his convicted killer will likely die before helping to locate the backpacker's body. Bradley John Murdoch, 67, was jailed for life over the 2001 killing of Mr Falconio, then 28, on a remote stretch of highway north of Alice Springs, though no remains have been found. He was also convicted of the assault and attempted kidnapping of Falconio's girlfriend Joanne Lees, who managed to escape into surrounding bushland. It was revealed this week throat cancer-stricken Murdoch had been moved to palliative care and would soon die, raising the risk the secret of Mr Falconio's whereabouts could die with him. The news prompted Northern Territory police to double their reward for information that led to the location of Mr Falconio's body to $500,000 on Wednesday. But, more than 20 years after her investigations led to Murdoch's arrest, former NT police officer Colleen Gwynne has suggested the killer may not know where Mr Falconio's body is. '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 – through the stress – he may have forgotten exactly where he disposed of the body,' she told NT News. She would be 'surprised' if he had forgotten, given Murdoch's familiarity with the Outback, she said, but the theory casts doubt on the potential for a deathbed confession, which another expert, Robin Bowles, has claimed will be 'explosive'. The author released a book called Dead Centre in 2022 about the case and claims in her research she conducted 50 hours of interviews with Murdoch. 'I know what they (his last words) are, and they will be explosive,' she told 7News. 'It's a shame they weren't able to be released earlier. You can't sue a dead man, so if he's making the claims, and he's died, the proverbial might hit the fan.' Murdoch has always maintained his innocence and has shown no indication of changing his position when spoken to by officers as recently as this week, NT police said. 'On all occasions, he's chosen not to positively engage with the police,' acting commander Mark Grieve told reporters on Wednesday. Murdoch is not eligible for parole for another eight years but, under the NT's 'no body, no release' laws, he wouldn't have been up for release without revealing the location of Mr Falconio's remains. Mr Falconio's whereabouts remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in recent criminal history, with the roadside killing and Ms Lees's miraculous escape partially inspiring the hit 2005 film Wolf Creek. On July 14, 2001, Mr Falconio and his then-girlfriend Joanne Lees were driving between Alice Springs and Darwin in their VW Kombi campervan. Murdoch signalled at their car, instructing the pair to pull over on the Stuart Highway, north of Barrow Creek on the pretence their van may be experiencing engine issues. After shooting Mr Falconio, Murdoch threatened Ms Lees before he bound her hands behind her back with cable tie restraints and bundled her into the back of his vehicle. While Murdoch disposed of Mr Falconio's body, Ms Lees managed to escape barefoot into surrounding bushland where she remained for five hours. She remained hidden while Murdoch hunted for her with his dog before she eventually flagged down a passing truck. Despite her latest theory, Ms Gwynne nonetheless welcomed the police's decision to increase the reward for information relating to Mr Falconio's whereabouts. 'I think the fact the reward has come out is a great idea and it shows the Northern Territory see this still as a significant gap here,' she told Seven News. 'We achieved a conviction but we still haven't been able to find Peter and from a law enforcement point of view that's still an important part of this. 'It's good to see the NT police have taken this tack. It's important and it's important to the family.' Speaking from his home in Huddersfield, England, Mr Falconio's father Luciano recently told the Daily Mail he had learned of the new reward for information through the media and had not been contacted by authorities. His wife, Joan, previously told the Daily Mail: 'All we ever hope is that Peter will finally be found one day, in our lifetime.' Even if Ms Gwynne's theory is correct and Murdoch could not recall where he had disposed of Falconio's body, Mr Grieve said the reward could prompt other to speak up. 'We recognise the passage of time that's transpired, however it's never too late to reach out and start that conversation with police,' Mr Grieve said this week. 'There may be someone out there he's confided in. Whether or not that's family or friends, we just don't know.'
