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Australian killer's final police interview footage released

BBC World · 2026-07-11

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Police in Australia released bodycam footage of an interview with Bradley Murdoch, the killer of British backpacker Peter Falconio, who was murdered in 2001. Murdoch, who died in prison last year, did not reveal the location of Falconio's body during the interview. • Why it matters: The release of the footage coincides with the 25th anniversary of Falconio's disappearance, highlighting ongoing efforts by Northern Territory police to resolve the case and bring closure to Falconio's family. • What to watch next: Authorities are urging anyone with information about the location of Peter Falconio's remains to come forward, emphasizing that even seemingly insignificant details could be crucial to the investigation.

Figure caption, Watch: Newly-released video show Peter Falconio's killer questionedBySimon AtkinsonReporting fromQueensland, Australia Published11 July 2026, 08:54 BSTUpdated 4 hours agoPolice in Australia have released bodycam footage of an interview with the man who murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio - as they tried to get him to reveal the location of the body.Falconio, from Huddersfield, was shot dead on a remote stretch of highway near the Northern Territory town of Barrow Creek, about 186 miles (300km) north of Alice Springs in July 2001.Killer Bradley Murdoch, 67, died in jail last year with throat cancer without disclosing where his remains might be.The footage was released by Northern Territory police ahead of the 25th anniversary of his disappearance, with the force saying it "remains committed to bringing this investigation to its fullest conclusion".In the video, a police officer can be heard saying to Murdoch: "I need you to have a think about if Peter Falconio was your son… and somebody knew something about where his body was."Murdoch, dressed in a green prison jumper, replies: "I don't know anything about it."He adds: "Don't beat around the bush because I'm just going to cut you short everytime, okay?"I know nothing. I've said this for 22 years. I know nothing. You keep asking these questions. I know nothing."Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Peter Falconio was killed while travelling around Australia with girlfriend Joanne LeesAsked to think about it again, he gives an expletive-filled answer, before saying: "I'm not thinking about it. I've thought about. 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."Falconio had been travelling around Australia with his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, also from Huddersfield, when he was murdered.During his trial in December 2005, the court heard Murdoch, who was then 43, pulled up beside their vehicle, claiming to have seen sparks coming from the camper van Falconio was driving.He then shot Falconio in the head as he inspected the vehicle, before taking 28-year-old Lees into his car and binding her wrists with cable ties.She managed to escape by hiding in outback scrub for several hours before she was able to wave down two men driving a truck.Image source, Northern Territory PoliceImage caption, The crime happened along a remote stretch of highway near the Northern Territory town of Barrow CreekMurdoch was convicted of Falconio's killing by a unanimous jury verdict, and he was also found guilty of the assault and attempted kidnap of Lees.He had always maintained his innocence, despite DNA evidence linking him to the crime, and unsuccessfully appealed to overturn his convictions twice.An inquest into Murdoch's death in March heard the killer refused to watch a video from his victim's parents appealing for his help to find their son's body.A spokesperson from Northern Territory said their "thoughts remained with the Falconio family and Joanne Lees whose loss and uncertainty continue to be felt 25 years on".Appealing for information they added: "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."Get in touchYour VoiceContact formListen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.Related topicsQueenslandHuddersfieldMore on this storyKiller refused family plea before death - inquestPublished19 March'Peter will never be forgotten - everyone knows who he is'Published17 July 2025Related internet linksNorthern Territory Police Force

Source: BBC World
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