Police offer $500k reward to find missing British backpacker Peter Falconio's body

Northern Territory police have announced a new $500,000 reward for information that leads to the discovery of Peter Falconio's remains. Mr Falconio was shot in the head on a remote stretch of the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek — around 300 kilometres north of Alice Springs — in July 2001. The 28-year-old British backpacker was at the time travelling around Australia with his girlfriend, Joanne Lees. Bradley John Murdoch was convicted of murdering Mr Falconio in 2005, but has never revealed the location of his body. Several extensive police searches have failed to locate his remains. Murdoch was also convicted of the attempted kidnap and assault of Ms Lees, who managed to escape and hide in bushland. He is currently serving a life sentence at Alice Springs prison, with a non-parole period of 28 years.

Acting Commander Mark Grieve said NT police still \"hold out hope\" that someone could provide information that leads to the discovery of Mr Falconio's body. \"As such a fresh reward for information is now on offer of up to $500,000,\" he said. \"We are asking for anyone that may believe they have information that can assist, to please come forward and contact police. We recognise the passage of time that's transpired, however it's never too late to reach out and start that conversation with police. You just never know how beneficial that information that you may hold, may be — essentially you just don't know what you know.\"

Murdoch was due to be eligible for parole in 2032, at 74 years old. But under the NT government's \"no body, no parole\" laws, introduced in 2016, Murdoch may not be granted parole if he continues to not cooperate with authorities in locating Mr Falconio's body. Murdoch was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019.

Acting Commander Grieve said police had made \"numerous approaches\" to Murdoch over the years, including this week, for information on the whereabouts of Mr Falconio's body. \"Unfortunately, the outcome of those conversations rests with Murdoch,\" he said. \"On all occasions he has chosen not to positively engage with police.\"

Asked what had prompted an increase to the reward, Acting Commander Grieve said police believed now was the \"right time\". \"Police recognise that there's certain times where there's the potential for opportunities to be taken advantage of,\" he said. \"There was a previous reward of up to $250,000, so we've upped that to up to $500,000. It's like any ongoing police investigation, you want to solve it. You want to try and at least bring some sliver of resolution to Peter's family, by bringing home his remains.\"

Acting Commander Grieve said NT police had spoken to Mr Falconio's family within the last 24 hours. \"We keep them appraised of what we're doing … any new information and leads. They're appreciative of the ongoing commitment we're providing,\" he said. Police have previously renewed calls for information on the 15th and 20th anniversaries of Mr Falconio's death. Police can be contacted on 131 444 or through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, Acting Commander Grieve said.

According to the source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.