Try GOLD - Free
Man who murdered British backpacker Falconio dies
The Independent
|July 16, 2025
The killer of British backpacker Peter Falconio has died. Bradley John Murdoch, who was convicted in 2005 of murdering Falconio, 28, and assaulting his girlfriend Joanne Lees at gunpoint, died after being moved to palliative care last month.
Falconio and Ms Lees, both from Yorkshire, were travelling across the country in a camper van when they were ambushed by Murdoch on the Stuart Highway, an isolated road that runs through the centre of Australia, on 14 July 2001.
Murdoch was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for at least 28 years.
Murdoch, 67, was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019 and was moved to palliative care from Alice Springs Correctional Centre last month, according to local media reports.
This story is from the July 16, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Independent
The Independent
I've had a tough year – but high trees take a lot of wind
Three-time WDC champion Michael van Gerwen explains to Luke Baker he is ready to erase his horrific 2025, on and off the oche, and show Luke Littler who is the true world's best
5 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
Snicko chief takes blame for slip that saved Carey's neck
Australia reached 326-8 on day one of third Ashes Test after operator error helped Alex Carey record a crucial century
2 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
How a resurgent Isis spread its tentacles far and wide
As its links with the Bondi gunmen are investigated, author Peter Neumann explores how the terror group has evolved, and why we should be worried by its chilling new call to arms
4 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
How the pain of addiction stalked the Reiner family
The younger son of the beloved film director Rob Reiner has been charged with murdering his parents. Katie Rosseinsky charts the harrowing buildup to a real-life Hollywood tragedy
7 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
Erasmus breakthrough shows the route back from Brexit
One of the hidden costs of Brexit was that Britain put itself at a disadvantage with EU negotiators by starting from a position of: “We don’t like you.”
3 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
Cherki rocket proves he's more than just tribute act
Take Erling Haaland out of the team and Manchester City still had two of his trademark celebrations.
3 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
Doctors direct chants at Streeting as walkout begins
Resident doctors claimed there is a sense that “the system is breaking” as they started a five-day strike in England due to an ongoing row over jobs and pay.
3 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
Public is losing patience with striking doctors
Taken literally, the British Medical Association's demand for resident doctors' pay to be restored to 2008 levels would require an immediate 26 per cent rise, at a cost to the Treasury of some £700m.
3 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
It's time to pull the plug on Emily's insipid adventures
Minnie Driver brings a much-needed injection of camp self-awareness to the fifth season of 'Emily in Paris' - but she still can't save this sterile show from itself says Katie Rosseinsky
3 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
Trump chief of staff says he has ‘alcoholic’s personality’
Donald Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles has given a brutal review of the president in a major new interview, saying he has an “alcoholic’s personality”.
4 mins
December 18, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size
