Peter Falconio was a British tourist who disappeared in a remote part of the Stewart Highway near Barrow Creek in the Northern Territory of Australia on the evening of the 14th of July 2001 while traveling with his girlfriend Joanne Lees. His girlfriend survived the encounter and provided investigators with critical testimony that led to a conviction. Peter’s body was never recovered. Based on the information that was available at the time, Bradley John Murdoch became the subject of a murder investigation. 

Based on Lees’ eyewitness account, Murdoch shot Falconio. She claims he then attempted to abduct her. Lees told investigators that Murdoch pulled alongside their vehicle and shot Falconio in the head. She managed to run and hide in bushland until she felt safe enough to flag down a passing motorist who helped her to safety and alerted emergency services. Murdoch was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 28 years. He developed throat cancer and died while serving his sentence at the age of 67.

Despite Murdoch’s conviction, lingering questions still surround the case. Lees told the Northern Territory Police that Murdoch tracked her movement using a dog. Investigators never found any evidence that Murdoch or a dog ever left the road. Foot prints were found. All the prints were consistent with Lees’ feet. Peter’s body is still missing. Murdoch’s motive is a mystery. Investigators found blood but it’s placement was inconsistent with with Lees’ account of a gunshot wound to the head.