Release of Interview Footage
Police in Australia have released bodycam footage showing an interview with Bradley Murdoch, the man convicted of murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio. Authorities sought to obtain information about the location of Falconio's remains during the questioning.
Background of the Case
Peter Falconio, originally from Huddersfield, was fatally shot in July 2001 on a remote highway near Barrow Creek in the Northern Territory, approximately 186 miles (300 km) north of Alice Springs.
Bradley Murdoch, aged 67, died in prison last year from throat cancer without revealing the whereabouts of Falconio's body.
The Northern Territory police released the footage ahead of the 25th anniversary of Falconio's disappearance, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to fully resolving the investigation.
Details from the Interview
In the video, a police officer asks Murdoch to consider the situation as if Falconio were his own son and if he knew anything about the body's location.
"I need you to have a think about if Peter Falconio was your son and somebody knew something about where his body was."
Murdoch, wearing a green prison jumper, responds:
"I don't know anything about it."
He continues:
"Don't beat around the bush because I'm just going to cut you short every time, okay? I know nothing. I've said this for 22 years. I know nothing. You keep asking these questions. I know nothing."
When prompted again to reconsider, Murdoch replies with an expletive-laden response before stating:
"I'm not thinking about it. I've thought about it. I thought about it 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 dying. I don't have information. This is what I'm trying to say to you. I don't have this information."
Context of the Crime
Falconio was travelling around Australia with his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, also from Huddersfield, at the time of the murder.
During the trial in December 2005, evidence was presented that Murdoch, then aged 43, stopped beside their vehicle, claiming he observed sparks from the camper van Falconio was driving.
Murdoch then shot Falconio in the head while Falconio inspected the vehicle. Subsequently, Murdoch took Lees into his car and restrained her wrists with cable ties.
Lees escaped by hiding in the outback scrub for several hours before flagging down two truck drivers.
The crime occurred along a remote stretch of highway near the Northern Territory town of Barrow Creek.
Legal Proceedings and Aftermath
Murdoch was convicted of Falconio's murder by a unanimous jury verdict and was also found guilty of assault and attempted kidnapping of Lees.
Despite DNA evidence linking him to the crime, Murdoch consistently maintained his innocence and unsuccessfully appealed his convictions twice.
An inquest into Murdoch's death in March revealed he refused to watch a video message from Falconio's parents appealing for assistance in locating their son's body.
Police Statement and Appeal
A spokesperson for the Northern Territory police stated their thoughts remain with the Falconio family and Joanne Lees, acknowledging the enduring impact of the loss and uncertainty 25 years later.
They issued an appeal for information:
"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. We continue to urge anyone with information relating to the location of Peter Falconio's remains to come forward. No piece of information is too small; what may seem insignificant could prove critical in helping investigators finally resolve this case."
Additional Information
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on , and catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
includes details about the killer refusing a family plea before death and the enduring memory of Peter Falconio.
