Peter Falconio murder: Appeal to find backpacker's remains

Joanne Lees and Peter Falconio were ambushed as they drove along a remote part of the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory on July 14, 2001

Australian police searching for the body of murdered backpacker Peter Falconio have renewed their appeal for help to find his remains.

The 28-year-old was shot dead when he and his girlfriend Joanne Lees were ambushed near Alice Springs in 2001. His body was never found.

In 2005 Bradley Murdoch was found guilty of murdering Mr Falconio.

Northern Territory Police has renewed its appeal for information on the 15th anniversary of his death.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Lance Godwin urged Murdoch to "consider the heartache of the Falconio family" and give up the location of the body.

"We are continuing to search for Mr Falconio and will do so until he is found," he added.

Bradley Murdoch was jailed for a minimum of 28 years after he was convicted of murdering Mr Falconio

Murdoch was jailed for a minimum of 28 years after he was convicted of murdering Mr Falconio, from Huddersfield, and assaulting Ms Lees.

He has always denied he was the killer.

Falconio murder timeline

• 14 July 2001 - Mr Falconio and Ms Lees are ambushed in northern Australia

• 16 July 2001 - Police find blood near the scene of the ambush

• 10 November 2003 - Bradley Murdoch is arrested

• 17 October 2005 - A trial hears DNA consistent with Murdoch was found on Ms Lees' shirt, on cable ties, and in the couple's campervan

• 13 December 2005 - Murdoch is found guilty

• 2007 - Murdoch loses his first appeal against his conviction in 2007

• 2014 - He withdraws a second appeal against his conviction

Last month, legislation preventing convicted murderers from becoming eligible for parole unless they reveal the location of their victim was passed by the Northern Territory Government.

Murdoch's case is the only one in the Northern Territory affected by the change.

Colleen Gwynne, the police officer who lead the investigation, told ABC news she feared Murdoch would never confess.

She said: "Do I think he'll disclose: no I don't. He maintains he is innocent to this day and the arrogance of the man astounds me."