Bradley John Murdoch: Outback killer tells cops to 'get out', refusing to reveal location of Peter Falconio’s remains

Notorious outback killer Bradley John Murdoch yelled at police to “get out” as he lay dying in hospital, refusing to the last to reveal where he hid a backpacker he shot dead on a remote highway.

Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage on Thursday wrapped up an inquest into the 66-year-old’s death from throat cancer on July 16, 2025 at the palliative care unit of Alice Springs Hospital.

Murdoch was serving a life sentence for murdering 28-year-old British backpacker Peter Falconio, and the assault and attempted kidnapping of his girlfriend Joanne Lees, now 52, on the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek in July 2001.

The backpackers were travelling along the highway when Murdoch drove up behind them and indicated they should pull over, saying their van might have an engine problem.

Mr Falconio went behind the car with him to investigate and Ms Lees heard a gunshot. Murdoch then cable-tied her and covered her head.

She escaped and hid in bushland for five hours while Murdoch hunted her with his dog, before she flagged down a truck driver.

Murdoch was arrested in November 2003 over Mr Falconio’s disappearance after a South Australian jury acquitted him of raping and falsely imprisoning a 12-year-old girl.

The SA case allowed NT Police to obtain his DNA, which was later found on the makeshift handcuffs worn by Ms Lees, as well as on her T-shirt, leading to his arrest.

Murdoch maintained his innocence and refused to divulge where he hid Mr Falconio’s body.

Counsel assisting Chrissy McConnel told the inquest in Alice Springs on Thursday Superintendent Bill Carroll and two other officers visited Murdoch in jail just weeks before he died.

They were making a final effort to find the location of Mr Falconio’s remains.

They hoped to show Murdoch a video Mr Falconio’s parents made with the help of UK police.

“When the officers attended at the prison to speak with Mr Murdoch, he stated his innocence and refused to watch the video,” Ms McConnel said.

Police again visited Murdoch days before he died in the palliative care unit, watched by prison guards 24 hours a day.

But the officers were only at his bedside for about 30 seconds.

“Mr Murdoch did not speak with the officers, instead yelling for them to ‘get out’,” Ms McConnel said.

The inquest heard Murdoch had been a mechanic and truck driver before completing numerous courses including furniture making, engineering and hospitality during his 22-year prison stint.

“Mr Murdoch was considered to be courteous and respectful to the other prisoners and corrections officers,” the inquest heard.

But after being diagnosed with cancer he at times verbally abused doctors and nurses when he felt he was not getting the right treatment.

He underwent chemotherapy but refused to have radiotherapy and signed a declaration he was to be left to die naturally in the event of a medical emergency.

The inquest heard Murdoch’s son and other family had expressed concerns about his medical treatment.

But the coroner said on Thursday she was satisfied Murdoch received high quality and timely medical care.

“Moreover I am satisfied that he was dealt with as a considerate and compassionate manner by health and corrections staff.”

Mr Falconio’s parents in July 2025 expressed relief Murdoch had died, saying “it’s like a weight that’s been lifted”.

“We didn’t have much faith, but we were hoping Bradley John Murdoch would reveal where Peter was before he died,” Luciano and Joan Falconio said at the time.

“But even now, we still hold out hope that his remains will be found.”

A reward of up to $500,000 is available to anyone providing information that leads to the discovery of Mr Falconio’s remains.