Police in Australia have released previously unseen photographs from the investigation into the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio, 25 years on, in a renewed bid to find his remains.
Falconio, from Huddersfield, was shot on a remote stretch of highway near Barrow Creek, Northern Territory, on 14 July 2001. His body has never been found. His killer, Bradley Murdoch, died of throat cancer aged 67 in jail last year without disclosing where the remains might be.
“Police release unseen photos 25 years after Peter Falconio's murder, hoping to find his remains.”
One of the images shows Murdoch staring straight at a camera during the police investigation. Others show Falconio's girlfriend, Joanne Lees, looking traumatised hours after the attack, and the injuries to her wrists after they were bound with cable ties. Lees escaped from Murdoch, hiding in scrubland for several hours before flagging down two men driving a truck.
The orange Volkswagen Kombi van the couple had been driving is also pictured, abandoned just off the Stuart Highway close to where the attack took place.
During Murdoch's trial in December 2005, the court heard how he pulled up beside their vehicle, claiming to have seen sparks from the camper van. He then shot Falconio in the head as he inspected the vehicle, before taking Lees into his car and binding her wrists. Murdoch was convicted by a unanimous jury of murder and the assault and attempted kidnap of Lees. He always maintained his innocence, despite DNA evidence linking him to the crime, and unsuccessfully appealed twice.
Northern Territory Police Force Commissioner Martin Dole said: "This was a traumatic and horrific event for Ms Lees, and for Peter's family, who have now gone such a long time without the answers they deserve." He added: "While a murderer has been held accountable for his crimes, this investigation can never be considered closed until Peter's remains are found and his family can lay him to rest."
Dole urged anyone with information to come forward, noting that a reward of up to 500,000 Australian dollars (£260,000) has been offered for information leading directly to the discovery of Falconio's remains. The release of the new images could jog memories or lead to a tip-off, police hope.
The case remains open as police exhaust every possibility to bring closure to Falconio's loved ones.