TWO decades on from one of Australia’s most infamous outback killings, calls have been renewed for Bradley Murdoch to reveal where the body of his victim Peter Falconio is.
It comes as those who’ve spent time with the “manipulative” Murdoch in Holtze prison claim he’ll never confess to murdering the British backpacker, saying the former truck driver has convinced himself he’s innocent.
An active investigation remains underway into the whereabouts of Mr Falconio’s body after his murder on July 14, 2001, with authorities hoping the anniversary will bring to light new information into the case.
Murdoch is likely to remain confined behind bars, referred to as a “lifer” by some within Holtze and described by others as a tenacious worker.
One former inmate, who spent months alongside the convicted murderer, said Murdoch was determined to prove his innocence.
“All I’ll say is that, I don’t know whether he’s guilty or innocent,” the inmate said on the condition of anonymity.
“He made me believe that he believed he was innocent.
“He truly believes he is innocent.
“I found him to be always polite, I found him to always be friendly — he can be a little bit grumpy at times, but we all can be, especially in jail.”
But prison officers, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, say the ageing Murdoch is an “arrogant prick” and “very manipulative”.
“He’s done every job and he thinks he’s special,” one officer said.
Murdoch, a 63-year-old fighting cancer behind bars, has made himself into a “jack of all trades”.
“He’ll do all sorts of things. In that sense, he’s a model prisoner,” the guard said.
But while he works across almost every industry in the prison — with particular skills in the kitchen where he is well-known for his baking prowess — and is considered to be a low security “green shirter”, Murdoch will never be allowed to do certain work.
“He’s a lifer,” the officer said. “He has to be housed within the main confine and can’t go outside the wire.
“He’s never getting out unless he tells them where the body is, and confesses. But he’s always been manipulative.”
Living with the likes of axe-murdering rapist Edward Horrell and Berry Springs killer Martin Leach, Murdoch is “treated a little bit different” to the other prisoners who come and go.
“Lifers get certain leeways,” the officer said.
One such “leeway” Murdoch chooses to be allowed to grow a beard.
“He’s just so ordinary,” another officer remarked. “He has cancer, he’s getting old.
“He keeps to himself and does his own thing.”
But at the same time, Murdoch is a “prized possession” for the prison who’s “not silly” and “very mechanically minded”.
“He’s probably the best to have in there, there are much worse than him in there — they’re the troublemakers,” the guard said.
Speaking in the lead up to the anniversary, Detective senior sergeant Karl Day said NT Police had still not given up on one day getting closure for the family and friends of Mr Falconio.
“On this 20th anniversary of the tragic disappearance of Peter Falconio the NT Police would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone that the missing person investigation into Peter remains an open and active case,” Mr Day said.
“Police are urging anyone out there, with any information that may assist Peter’s family in gaining some sort of closure, to come forward and contact police.
“We are thinking of Peter’s family and friends on this anniversary and remain hopeful that such a milestone may jolt some information and progress the investigation.”
NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner also used the anniversary to address the significant impact the outback killing had left on the Territory.
“The murder of Peter Falconio was a deeply disturbing and traumatic event that had a profound effect on many people, not the least being Mr Falconio’s family and his girlfriend at the time, Joanne Lees,” Mr Gunner said.
“The taking of the life of this innocent young traveller on the main highway through the Northern Territory was a callous and sickening act of violence.”
Mr Gunner reiterated backed calls for Murdoch to provide the location of Mr Falconio’s remains, vowing that the killer would “not menace the public again”.
“Murdoch has never shown remorse for his crime,” he said.
“It would be fitting for him to show some decency and reveal Mr Falconio’s whereabouts for the sake of those who loved him.”
Murdoch was arrested in Adelaide in November 2003 on a warrant issued by Northern Territory police for Mr Falconio’s murder.
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