Outback Killer's Secrets: Inquest into Murdoch's Death

An inquest will be held on March 19 into the death of Bradley Murdoch, who was convicted of murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio. Murdoch, aged 67, died of throat cancer in Alice Springs last July. He had always maintained his innocence regarding Mr. Falconio's killing in 2001, and his body has never been recovered. Northern Territory coroner Elisabeth Armitage will preside over the one-day hearing, focusing on a death in custody. Just prior to Murdoch's death, the reward for information concerning Mr. Falconio's case was doubled to £250,000. Murdoch's family stated he had pinned his hopes on overturning his conviction through a 'petition for mercy,' which was never formulated. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 28 years. The Northern Territory government's 'no body, no parole' law, enacted in 2016, effectively meant a life sentence for Murdoch unless he disclosed the location of Mr. Falconio's remains. Peter Falconio's parents expressed relief at Murdoch's death but still hold hope that their son's remains will be found.