Bradley Murdoch’s family break silence following news of convicted killer’s death in Alice Springs

The man convicted of murdering a British backpacker 20 years ago will be ‘deeply missed,’ as the family break their silence following his death. Read what they had to say.

Bradley John Murdoch’s family have broken their silence following his death, saying the man convicted of murdering Peter Falconio was “deeply loved” and will be “deeply missed”.

In a statement released by solicitor Christopher Dale, Murdoch’s family confirmed his passing and remembered a man they saw as a “devoted father, father-in-law, and proud

poppy who never missed a chance to brag about his grandchildren”.

“To those who truly knew him, he was much more than the headlines,” the statement said.

“Throughout his years in custody, Brad was well liked and respected by fellow inmates and correctional officers alike. He earned the affectionate title of “Uncle” from many Indigenous prisoners, recognising his efforts to offer guidance, support, and practical help whenever he could.”

Bradley John Murdoch is led through the compound at the Adelaide Magistrates court, Adelaide, Australia, Nov. 13, 2003. Picture: File

The statement was released following Murdoch’s death in Alice Springs Hospital palliative care unit in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

In his final years, Murdoch was pinning his hope in overturning his conviction through a “petition for mercy”, according to the statement.

But the petition never formulated, the statement said, delivering a “crushing blow” to Murdoch, the statement said.

Murdoch twice appealed his conviction, and in 2007 the High Court refused to grant him special leave.

“We understand that the public perception of Bradley will always be shaped by his conviction, but our intention is simply to share the man we knew, the version of him that was rarely, if ever, seen beyond our family and close friends,” the statement said.

“Brad had a generous spirit. He was a gentle giant with a heart of gold, known for his quick wit, his talent for fixing or building just about anything, and his incredible skills in the kitchen. Above all, he was someone who, no matter the circumstances, always extended a helping hand to those around him.”

Murdoch was convicted of murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio in 2005. 

In this undated photo released by the Northern Territory Police, Joanne Lees, left, and her British boyfriend Peter Falconio are shown while travelling on the Stuart Highway, north of Alice Springs, Australia, before Falconio was killed in July 2001. Picture: File

He was sentenced to life in prison, with a non-parole period of 28-years, making him eligible for parole in 2033.

But under the NT’s “no body, no parole” law – passed in 2016 – convicted killers would not be granted parole if they did not reveal the location of their victims.

Mr Falconio was murdered in 2001, shot in the head by Murdoch after he pulled over on the side of the Stuart Highway, north of Barrow Creek.

He was travelling with his girlfriend Joanne Lees, who escaped and survived.

Mr Falconio’s body has never been found, with NT police recently doubling the reward for information which leads to his final resting place.

At the end of June, the $500,000 reward was revealed by Acting Commander Mark Grieve, who said the convicted killer did not “positively engage” with police on the location of Mr Falconio while on his deathbed.

Originally published as Bradley Murdoch’s family break silence following news of convicted killer’s death in Alice Springs