Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder documentary to 'shed new light' on case of British backpacker Peter Falconio who vanished in Australia in 2001
A former FBI profiler and no-body murder expert will appearOutback Terror: The Falconio Murder is a brand new documentary that promises to “shed new light” on the killing of British backpacker Peter Falconio.
The real life crime case had the world gripped during the noughties after Peter vanished while travelling in Australia.
Peter, 28, was shot dead on a very remote and isolated stretch of road in the Northern Territory in 2001. His body was never found.
Peter’s girlfriend, Joanne Lees, managed to escape with her life.
But who was Peter Falconio? And when will the new documentary air? Here’s what we know.
Who was Peter Falconio?
Peter Falconio was born in Yorkshire in September 1972. When he was 24 years old, he met Joanne Lees in a nightclub.
In 1998, the couple moved in together in Brighton. Peter was studying at the University of Brighton at the time, while Joanne began working as a travel agent.
Two years later, they embarked on a trip of a lifetime, visiting Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand and Cambodia.
Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your television news
But in July 2001, Peter and Joanne’s adventure came to a deadly end.
The couple were travelling along a stretch of deserted highway near the town of Barrow Creek in Australia’s NT. A Land Cruiser truck came up behind their combi van, indicating there was something wrong with their vehicle.
Bradley Murdoch, then 43, was in the truck. Peter got out and went around to the back, as Murdoch had claimed to see sparks flying out of the couple’s camper. Still in the van, Joanne suddenly heard gunfire.
Peter was never seen again.
Joanne was taken to Murdoch’s car where her wrists were bound with cable ties. Incredibly, she managed to escape and hid in pitch bushland for five or six hours, while Murdoch and his dog looked for her.
He eventually gave up and left the scene.
Joanne managed to wrangle herself free from the cable ties. She ran into the road and flagged down two men in a giant road train truck.
The trio attempted to search for Peter, but fearing Murdoch was still at large, the men drove Joanne to a road house. The police was called.
Joanne Lees under scrutiny
A manhunt was immediately launched to find Peter’s killer. Joanne, meanwhile, quickly found herself in the worldwide spotlight, although she was very reluctant to speak to the press.
Eleven days later, she finally agreed to talk to the media but dictated which questions she would and wouldn’t answer. She told journalists: “Anyone who has spoken to me or been in contact with me, no one doubts me.”
Entirely innocent, Joanne later quashed alleged ‘inconsistencies’ in her story during a Martin Bashir interview in 2002.
Martin asked her: “For the avoidance of any doubt, did you kill Peter Falconio?” Joanne replied: “No.”
The Australian police also made it clear they believed Joanne’s version of events.
When was Bradley Murdoch arrested?
Bradley Murdoch was arrested and charged with the murder of Peter Falconio in 2003 following a DNA breakthrough. He was a violent criminal and was working as a drug runner at the time of Peter and Joanne’s road trip.
In December 2005, Murdoch was convicted of Peter’s murder by a unanimous jury. He was also found guilty of the assault and attempted kidnap of Joanne.
Famously, during the trial, chief witness Joanne was asked to demonstrate how she freed her hands from behind her back after being tied up with cable ties. She was successful and explained how she’d used a strawberry lipgloss in the outback to help grease the ties.
Murdoch was sentenced to a 28-year minimum non-parole period in jail.
At the time, Joanne said: “Today marks the conclusion of an intense period of distress for myself and the Falconio family. To see justice done today eases a great burden for us all.”
She also urged her boyfriend’s killer: “I would like Bradley John Murdoch to seriously consider telling me, Joan and Luciano [Peter’s parents] what he has done with Pete.”
Bradley Murdoch dies in prison
Murdoch was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2019. He died in prison in July 2025.
Weeks before his death, Peter’s parents pleaded with him for the location of their son’s body.
Murdoch refused, maintaining his innocence and taking his secrets to the grave.
When can I watch the Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder documentary?
Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder will be coming to U&W this summer. It is a two-part mini-series, with both episodes lasting 60 minutes each.
The documentary will feature two leading investigative specialists. One is a world expert in no-body homicides. The other is a former FBI Profiler.
A synopsis reads: “[The experts] will re-examine Murdoch’s life, his offending, his criminal profile, and pre and post offending behaviours.
“Using cutting edge technology and the latest forensic techniques, they will work to uncover new insights into Murdoch’s motives and attempt to determine where Peter is buried.”
UKTV’s Tracy-Jean says: “As an Australian living in the UK, I remember the years that this was front page news, so needed the right reason to resurface such a tragic situation. From its inception, the team have approached this documentary with the care, curiosity and sensitivity it deserves.”
It will air on U&W and be available to stream in July 2026. An exact date is yet to be confirmed.
Read more: Hidden BBC documentary Abused By My Girlfriend will leave you horrified
