Bradley John Murdoch, the infamous outback killer whose actions partly inspired the horror movie Wolf Creek, has passed away in the palliative care ward of Alice Springs Hospital.

The 67-year-old, who was serving a life sentence for the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio, succumbed to terminal throat cancer, closing one of Australia's most notorious true crime cases without ever disclosing crucial details about his crime.

What happened to Peter Falconio?

In July 2001, Peter Falconio and Joanne Lees were traveling through the Northern Territory when Murdoch stopped their van near Barrow Creek. Falconio exited the vehicle to check on a reported engine issue, and a gunshot was heard shortly thereafter.

The Kombi camper van belonging to Joanne Lees and Peter Falconio. (Photo by Ian Waldie/POOL/Getty Images)

Lees was assaulted, restrained, and forced into Murdoch’s vehicle. In a courageous attempt to survive, she managed to escape into the bush, hiding for hours before finding assistance.

Despite an extensive search, Falconio’s body was never recovered.

The body of Peter Falconio has never been found. (Photo by Handout/Getty Images)

How did the police catch Bradley John Murdoch?

The quest for answers extended over months, with police relying heavily on forensic evidence and Lees's identification of Murdoch. A pivotal moment occurred when detectives discovered one of Lees’s hair ties in Murdoch’s ute.

Former investigator Colleen Gwynne referred to the item as a “trophy” Murdoch retained from the crime, even though he “likely didn’t realize the hair tie's significance” at the time.

Murdoch was apprehended, and DNA evidence conclusively connected him to the crime scene. On 13 December 2005, Murdoch was found guilty of Falconio’s murder, as well as the assault and attempted abduction of Lees. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 28 years, meaning he wouldn't have been eligible for release until at least 2033.

At his sentencing, Chief Justice Brian Martin condemned Murdoch’s actions as “extremely cowardly” and highlighted his lack of remorse.

Bradley John Murdoch in 2005. (Photo by Northern Territory Police via Getty Images)

Murdoch served his sentence at Darwin Correctional Centre and was later moved to the Alice Springs Correctional Centre following a diagnosis of terminal throat cancer in 2019. Throughout his incarceration, Murdoch consistently professed his innocence.

Unanswered questions of the Falconio case

The Falconio family and Joanne Lees have endured years in the public eye, yet closure has always remained elusive. Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro recently stated: “It is disappointing for the Falconio family that this case remains unresolved and they are still without the closure they deserve. We remind the public that the reward for information relating to the disappearance of Peter Falconio has been recently increased,” according to the ABC.

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The Mystery That Still Surrounds The Murder Of UK Tourist Peter Falconio

As Murdoch’s health deteriorated, police made several attempts to coax him into revealing what happened, but he never cooperated or provided any answers. A $500,000 reward remains available for anyone with information about Falconio’s remains.

Murdoch’s death is now the focus of a coronial inquest. With his passing, the final pieces of this grim chapter in Australia’s true crime history might remain forever undiscovered.

Lead image: Getty