Outback killer

The mystery surrounding the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio

- HANNAH DAVIES, IAN MACEWAN, STEVEN PERKINS

NEW CRIME

Murder in the Outback: The Falconio and Lees Mystery
Sunday, 9.15pm & MondayWednesday, 9pm, C4 HD

The murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio in the Australian outback almost 20 years ago remains one of the most talked-about crimes of the century.

On 14 July 2001, Falconio, 28, and his girlfriend Joanne Lees were driving in their VW Kombi van along Australia’s remote Stuart Highway at night, when they were pulled over by a stranger in a white truck.

After Falconio got out of the van to investigate, Lees suddenly heard a loud bang. Seconds later, the stranger bundled her into the back of his truck at gunpoint.

While Lees managed to escape into the bush before flagging down a passing lorry, Falconio was never seen again.