Australian police reveal unseen photos 25 years after British backpacker murder
Police hope the images could jog memories that will help them find the body of Peter Falconio.
Australian authorities unveil new images 25 years after the murder of British backpacker
Bradley Murdoch never disclosed the whereabouts of Peter Falconio's body.
Police in Australia have made public previously unreleased photographs from their investigation into the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio, which occurred 25 years ago.
Falconio, hailing from Huddersfield, was shot on a secluded stretch of highway near Barrow Creek in the Northern Territory, approximately 186 miles (300 km) north of Alice Springs, on July 14, 2001.
His remains have never been located, and authorities are hopeful that the newly released images may trigger memories that could lead to valuable information. His assailant, Bradley Murdoch, passed away from throat cancer at the age of 67 in prison last year, without revealing the location of Falconio's remains.
Among the images is a full-length photograph of Murdoch looking directly at the camera during the police investigation.
Falconio's girlfriend, Joanne Lees, managed to escape from Murdoch, hiding in the underbrush for several hours before she was able to flag down two men in a truck.
One of the police photographs captures Lees appearing traumatized in the aftermath of the attack, while others depict the injuries she sustained, including those from having her wrists bound with cable ties.
Northern Territory Police Force Commissioner Martin Dole remarked that 25 years marks a "significant milestone," expressing hope that the release of new images could help jog memories or lead to tips.
"This was a traumatic and horrific event for Ms. Lees and for Peter's family, who have now endured such a long time without the answers they deserve," Dole stated.
"While a murderer has been held accountable for his crimes, this investigation can never be considered closed until Peter's remains are found and his family can lay him to rest."
Additional photos released by NT Police include images of the orange Volkswagen Kombi van the couple was driving while traveling around Australia. The vehicle was discovered abandoned just off the Stuart Highway near the site of the attack. Crime scene photographs are also part of the collection.
During his trial in December 2005, the court heard that Murdoch, then 43, had pulled up next to their vehicle, claiming to have seen sparks coming from the camper van Falconio was operating. He then shot Falconio in the head as he examined the vehicle, subsequently abducting 28-year-old Lees and binding her wrists with cable ties, although she managed to escape.
Murdoch was found guilty of Falconio's murder by a unanimous jury and was also convicted of assault and attempted kidnapping of Lees. He consistently maintained his innocence, despite DNA evidence linking him to the crime, and he unsuccessfully appealed his convictions twice.
Recently, police released bodycam footage of an interview with Murdoch conducted a week before his death, in which they attempted to extract information about the location of the body.
In a statement on Tuesday, Commissioner Dole expressed regret that Murdoch died without, to the best of their knowledge, ever revealing the location of Peter's remains. "His cowardly silence has denied his family, friends, and loved ones the closure they deserve," he added.
NT Police remain "committed to bringing this investigation to its fullest conclusion" and will "continue to pursue every avenue available," he stated.
A reward of up to A$500,000 is being offered for information that leads to the discovery of Mr. Falconio's remains.
An undated photo of Joanne Lees and Peter Falconio was released previously.
The enigmatic outback murder that shocked Australia.