Ex A-G John Elferink urges Bradley Murdoch to reveal location of Peter Falconio’s body

‘The Falconio family still don’t have a place to grieve’: Former Attorney-General John Elferink has urged killer Bradley Murdoch to reveal the location of Peter Falconio’s body.

Bradley John Murdoch. Picture: AFP PHOTO/David HANCOCK

Calls have been sounded for the convicted killer of British backpacker Peter Falconio to tell authorities where his body is located.

Former NT Attorney-General John Elferink, now a defence lawyer, wants Bradley John Murdoch to “admit his culpability” in the crime and “direct the authorities” to Mr Falconio’s body.

John Elferink. Picture: Liam Mendes

“Murdoch has had cancer catch up with him and he will soon go to the same place that Peter Falconio was forced to when he was murdered by Bradley Murdoch,” he said.

“The Falconio family still don’t have a place to grieve. They are missing a son.

“If there is a shred of decency in that desiccated organ that Bradley Murdoch calls his heart then he will at least: one admit his culpability; and two, if possible direct the authorities to the place where he left Peter Falconio’s body.”

Mr Elferink’s comments come as Murdoch, 67, was moved to palliative care in Alice Springs Hospital.

On Wednesday NT Police increased the reward for anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Mr Falconio’s body to $500k.

Peter Falconio and his girlfriend Joanne Lees. Picture: File

Murdoch was first diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019, and has been serving his time in Alice Springs Correctional Centre since 2022.

In 2005, he was sentenced to life in prison for Mr Falconio’s 2001 murder.

He was also convicted for an assault on Mr Falconio’s girlfriend Joanne Lees.

Murdoch was given a 28-year non parole period.

He has twice unsuccessfully appealed his conviction.

In 2016, when Mr Elferink was the Territory’s Attorney-General, he introduced the NT’s “no body no parole” law, which passed Parliament.

The law prevents convicted killers from getting parole if the body of the victim is not found, and brought the Territory line with other Australian states when it was introduced.

Bradley John Murdoch (C) surrounded by police arrives at Darwin airport from Adelaide 24 November 2003. Picture: AFP/David Hancock

The law was “generally proposed” Mr Elferink said, but the “fact it captured Murdoch had not passed me by”.

Mr Elferink said he was unsure if the law ever had any effect on Murdoch, as “in spite of the overwhelming evidence that he was the person guilty of the crime”, he has maintained his innocence.

Originally published as Ex A-G John Elferink urges Bradley Murdoch to reveal location of Peter Falconio’s body