The Disappearance of Peter Falconio and the Man Convicted of His Murder

Joanne Lees, the girlfriend who changed her story

Peter Falconio and Joanne Lees

Peter Falconio disappeared on Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek whilst travelling with his girlfriend, Joanne Lees. He was twenty-eight when he disappeared; although presumed dead, his body has never been recovered, so some people wonder whether this is more a missing person case than murder.

On 13th May 2005, Bradley John Murdoch was convicted of his murder and received a life sentence with a minimum of twenty-eight years. Murdoch has often appealed his ruling, stating that the evidence Lees gave a trial is unreliable. He has good reason to say this as Lees' changed her story on several occasions during the interview. Murdoch states the only reason she could identify him as the killer was that she did an internet search on him before identification.

So what is the truth of Peter Falconio's disappearance, was he murdered, did he disappear and are there people who know more than they are telling?