Peter Falconio: NT police announce $500,000 reward for information as Bradley Murdoch lies dying in hospitalMatt ShrivellThe NightlyWed, 25 June 2025 11:59AM
In a desperate bid to flush out fresh information in the search for missing backpacker Peter Falconio’s body, Northern Territory police have announced a new reward as his convicted killer lies dying in an Alice Springs hospital.
After 24 years of investigations and pleas for murderer Bradley John Murdoch to reveal his movements after fatally shooting Mr Falconio and attempting to abduct his girlfriend Joanna Lees, an offer of $500,000 has been made to anyone who can lead police to the location of Mr Falconio’s body.
“The body of Peter has never been located despite continued efforts by the NT police to do so by investigating any viable information or leads that have been received through the years since,” Acting Commander Mark Grieve told a press conference in Darwin on Wednesday.
“The NT police still hold out hope that someone may be able to provide some vital information to assist in this search, and as such, a fresh reward for information is now on offer of up to $500,000 for information that leads to the discovery of Peter’s body.
“In what will be the 24th anniversary of his death this July, we are asking for anyone that may believe that 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.”
When quizzed if Murdoch had been asked for more information on the whereabouts of Mr Falconio’s body, Mr Grieve shot back “yes we have”.
“We’ve made numerous approaches to Mr Murdoch over the years that have passed, and up until very recently, being this week, and unfortunately the outcome of those conversations rests with Mr Murdoch.
“On all occasions, he has chosen not to positively engage with police.”
The decades-long investigation into the murder is still a sore point for police who said they would commence another search if relevant information came to light.
“This matter rests with our cold case unit at the moment and throughout the years they revise and review information and recognise there is the potential for new opportunities.
“The cold case unit feel that this is the right time to up the reward to $500,000.
“It’s like any ongoing investigation: You want to solve it and we want to bring some sliver of resolution to Peter’s family. We keep going wherever we can.
“We’ve had ongoing contact with Peter’s family within the last 24-hours and we keep them apprised, and they’re appreciative.”
Reports surfaced this week that Murdoch has been granted permission to move from a palliative care facility where he is dying from cancer, back to the Alice Springs jail to bid former inmates and friends goodbye before his death.
Could anyone close to Murdoch profit from supplying information now the reward has been bumped up to $500,000?, Mr Grieve was asked.
“Murdoch hasn’t engaged with us, so look there may be someone out there that he’s confided in, whether or not that’s family or friends we just don’t know.”
“It captured the heart of the country and it’s never gone away. It’s captured worldwide attention.”
The murder of Mr Falconio captured headlines around the world after Ms Lees managed to escape the clutches of Murdoch after he killed Mr Falconio on a deserted outback road near Barrow Creek.
Mr Falconio and Ms Lees had arrived from the UK were travelling around Australia in a Kombi van when Murdoch emerged in a vehicle alongside them and asked the couple to pull over, before shooting Mr Falconio in the head and trying to abduct Ms Lees.
She managed to run and hide in bushland before waiting until she felt safe enough to flag down a passing motorist who helped her to safety and alerted emergency services.
The Northern Territory Government passed a “no body, no parole” law in 2016 which applies to Murdoch who was sentenced to 28 years for Mr Falconio’s murder. He would have been eligible for parole in 2023.
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