Reward for information that leads to Peter Falconio’s body discovery raised to $500k

A boost to the cash reward for information that leads to murdered backpacker Peter Falconio’s body has been announced – as his killer remains silent even on his deathbed.

A reward of up to $500k for information that leads to the whereabouts of murdered backpacker Peter Falconio has been announced – as his killer remains silent even on his deathbed.

Acting Commander Mark Grieve spoke to media in Darwin on Wednesday, also revealing police had once again spoken to convicted killer Bradley John Murdoch.

On Tuesday, this masthead exclusively revealed the convicted killer was in Palliative care in Alice Springs.

“We’ve made numerous approaches to Mr Murdoch over the years … up until very recently being this week,” Mr Grieves said.

“On all occasions, he’s chosen not to positively engage with the police.”

Bradley Murdoch newspaper clippings from NT News after the murder.

Acting Commander Mark Grieve with the Crime and Intelligence Command announcing a $500k reward for information that leads to the whereabouts of murdered backpacker Peter Falconio. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“NT police still hold out hope someone may be able to assist in … this search,” Mr Grieve said.

“A fresh reward for information (on the case) up to $500k for information that leads to the discovery of Peter’s body.”

Previously, an award of up to $250k was on offer.

Mr Grieve said “there may be someone out there that (Murdoch’s) confided in, whether or not that’s family or friends” who could potentially have information on the whereabouts of Mr Falconio.

“There’s still people out there that may hold some information,” he said.

“This has been a protracted and long investigation in regards to trying to find Peter’s remains and now is just the right time we feel to present this reward on offer.”

The cold-blooded murder and questions about the whereabouts of Mr Falconio’s body has consumed Australians for more than two decades.

Mr Grieve acknowledged the passage of time since the killing, but said it was “never too late to reach out and start that conversation with police”.

On Wednesday, Mr Grieve said police had received no new information on the whereabouts of Mr Falconio’s body, but had been in contact with his family back in the UK “within the last 24 hours”.

Mr Grieve said police would make further attempts to reinterview Murdoch.

Peter Falconio.

On July 14, 2001, Mr Falconio and his then-girlfriend Joanne Lees were driving on the Stuart Highway north of Barrow Creek when they were signalled to pull over.

Once stopped, Murdoch shot Mr Falconio in the head and tried to abduct Ms Lees but she miraculously escaped.

Murdoch was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 2005 for the killing, but never divulged the whereabouts of Mr Falconio’s body.

He has twice unsuccessfully appealed his conviction, and was refused special leave to the high court in 2007.

On Tuesday, the NT News reported exclusively Murdoch, now aged 67, has been receiving palliative care in Alice Springs Hospital.

Murdoch has reportedly battled throat cancer since 2019, with a source behind the wire sharing he was now “just about dead”.

It was also revealed Murdoch has been taken on excursions around Alice Springs during his treatment – while flanked by high-ranking corrections officers.

In March this year, a condition update from a source within the Alice Springs Correctional Centre said Murdoch was in a “bad way”.

Originally published as Reward for information that leads to Peter Falconio’s body discovery raised to $500k