Bradley John Murdoch denied knowing the whereabouts of Peter Falconio’s remains during a police interview conducted weeks before his death, newly released body-worn camera footage shows.
Northern Territory Police released the video on Saturday, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the 2001 killing of the 28-year-old British backpacker on the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek.
Murdoch, who was serving a life sentence for murdering Falconio and assaulting his girlfriend Joanne Lees, consistently maintained his innocence and refused to disclose where he had hidden the victim’s body. He died in July 2025 from throat cancer.
The final interview came after officers made one last attempt to extract information from Murdoch. “I need you to have a think about if Peter Falconio was your son … and somebody knew something about where his body was,” an officer asked.
“Don’t beat around the bush because I’m just going to cut you short every time OK?” Murdoch replied. “I know nothing. I’ve said this for 22 years. I know nothing.”
When pressed further, Murdoch became agitated, launching a profanity-laced tirade. “I’m not thinking about it. I’ve thought about, I thought about it for 22 fucking years,” he said. “I’ve been with these fellas for 22 years… I’ve said the same story over and over and over, and now you’re here at the last minute because I’m fucking dying.”
The July 2001 incident drew global media attention and partly inspired the horror film Wolf Creek.
According to police, Falconio pulled over when Murdoch claimed their van had engine trouble. The backpacker exited to investigate, at which point Murdoch fired. He then restrained Lees with cable ties and covered her head. She escaped and hid for five hours until flagging down a truck driver.
Murdoch was arrested in November 2003 after a South Australian jury acquitted him of raping and imprisoning a 12-year-old girl, allowing NT Police to obtain his DNA. Genetic material was found on Lees’ makeshift handcuffs and T-shirt, linking him to the crime.
NT Police continue to seek information about Falconio’s remains, offering a $500,000 reward for details leading to a resolution. “Twenty-five years is a significant milestone, and NT Police remains committed to bringing this investigation to its fullest conclusion,” a statement read. “There may still be someone who knows something, whether that be information they have never previously shared with police or something Murdoch said to them.”
