Lead

Northern Territory police have reopened evidence boxes from the investigation into the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio and the attempted abduction of his girlfriend Joanne Lees, releasing previously unseen photographs as the 25th anniversary of the case approaches.

The photographs include one showing a stunned-looking Lees in the hours after her encounter with convicted killer Bradley John Murdoch on a remote stretch of the Stuart Highway on the evening of 14 July 2001, and another showing Murdoch as photographed by police. Other images released by police include the orange Kombi van the couple were travelling in and cuts and grazes sustained by Lees during her ordeal. One photograph shows evidence markers on the side of a desert highway appearing to line a dark red stain on the rough bitumen.

Coverage comparison

The Guardian's coverage highlights the reopening of evidence boxes and the release of the new photographs, describing the case as one of Australia's most horrific and culturally defining crimes. The coverage notes that Tuesday marks the 25th anniversary of the disappearance and that the case still carries unanswered questions for Falconio's family. The Guardian also reports that the investigation remains open, and that NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole has stated the investigation would stay open until Falconio's remains were found.

Key Claims

  • Northern Territory police reopened evidence boxes to uncover several previously unseen photographs from the investigation into the murder of Peter Falconio and the attempted abduction of Joanne Lees.
  • Tuesday is the 25th anniversary of Peter Falconio's murder and Joanne Lees' attempted abduction.
  • Bradley John Murdoch was convicted of Peter Falconio's murder but died without admitting to it or disclosing the location of Falconio's remains.
  • NT police released new images, including one of Joanne Lees and one of Bradley Murdoch.
  • A reward of $500,000 remains on offer for information leading directly to the discovery of Falconio's remains.
  • "No piece of information is too small; what may seem insignificant could prove critical in helping investigators finally resolve this case," Commissioner Dole said.
The Guardian reports that Murdoch died on 15 July 2025 without ever admitting to the murder or disclosing where Falconio's remains are. The Guardian also notes that footage was earlier released of officers' final efforts to convince Murdoch to reveal the whereabouts of Falconio's body, during which he denied having any knowledge of the death.

Despite Murdoch's conviction and life sentence, the investigation remains open. Dole reiterated that the investigation would stay open until Falconio's remains were found, and the $500,000 reward remains in place for information directly leading to their discovery.