Australian police release unseen photos 25 years after British backpacker Peter Falconio’s murder | World News

Police in Australia have marked the 25th anniversary of the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio by releasing previously unseen photographs from their investigation.

Bradley John Murdoch was convicted in 2005 of murdering the 28-year-old and assaulting his girlfriend Joanne Lees at gunpoint on a remote stretch of road near the Northern Territory town of Barrow Creek on 14 July 2001.

Mr Falconio and Ms Lees, both from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, were travelling across the country in a camper van when Murdoch pulled up beside them on the isolated Stuart Highway, claiming to have seen sparks coming from their vehicle.

He shot Mr Falconio in the head as he inspected the van, before forcing Ms Lees into his vehicle and binding her wrists with cable ties.

She managed to escape, hiding in the outback for hours before flagging down a passing truck.

Murdoch was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for at least 28 years. He was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019 and died in prison last year – without revealing the location of Mr Falconio’s remains.

Police hope the new images could jog memories that could lead to a tip-off.

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They include one of the orange Volkswagen Kombi camper van Mr Falconio and Ms Lees were travelling in.

One image shows Ms Lees hours after the attack, and another the grazes on her left arm after the attempted abduction.

There is also a photo of Murdoch staring straight at a camera which officers took as part of their investigation.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole said the investigation into Mr Falconio’s murder would stay open until his remains were found.

“It is deeply regrettable that Murdoch died without, as far as we know, ever disclosing the location of Peter’s remains. His cowardly silence has denied his family, friends and loved ones the closure they deserve,” he said.

“Twenty-five years is a significant milestone, and the Northern Territory Police Force remains committed to bringing this investigation to its fullest conclusion and will continue to pursue every avenue available.

“For many investigators, this case has spanned decades of their policing careers. Their commitment to finding Peter and delivering answers to his family has never wavered.”

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He added: “The release of new footage could lead police to Peter’s remains. 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.”

A reward of up to $500,000 (£260,000) has been offered for any information that leads directly to the discovery of Mr Falconio’s remains.