Where Is Joanne Lees Now? New Truth Behind Falconio Case

More than two decades after a brutal attack in the Australian outback that gripped headlines across the world, Joanne Lees has returned to Australia. She’s not here for a reunion, or for closure—but for justice.

Lees, now in her late 40s and living quietly in the UK, arrived in Darwin to be part of a long-awaited coronial inquest into the presumed murder of her boyfriend, Peter Falconio.

What happened that night in July 2001 changed her life forever. But this time, she is standing strong—not as a terrified survivor, but as a determined voice in a case that refuses to be forgotten.

Why Joanne Lees Is Back in Australia After So Long

Joanne Lees was just 27 when she and Peter Falconio set off on what was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime across Australia. But that road trip ended in horror on a remote stretch of highway near Barrow Creek, Northern Territory.

Now, nearly 23 years later, Lees is back—not as a tourist, but as a crucial witness.

The Northern Territory Coroner is holding a fresh inquiry into Peter Falconio’s death. Despite the 2005 conviction of Bradley John Murdoch for Falconio’s murder, one critical piece remains missing: Peter’s body was never found.

According to a report from the NT News, Lees will provide a written statement and is expected to give evidence during the closed-door proceedings that began in July 2025.

"She’s doing this for Peter, and for herself," a close family friend was quoted as saying. "She wants this chapter to be properly closed."

The Night That Changed Everything: A Brief Recap

On July 14, 2001, Joanne Lees and Peter Falconio were interrupted by a man who approached them in need of assistance with his vehicle. Moments later, Peter was taken away—and has never been seen again. Joanne was bound to a tree and escaped by hiding in the bushes for hours.
Her account and survival made headlines around the world. Many people questioned her story at the time; however, Murdoch was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2005.

Still, there remained questions without Falconio's body.

• Where exactly did it happen?
• Could Murdoch have had accomplices?
• Is there any chance Falconio is still alive?  (This theory, though widely dismissed, has a life of its own on internet forums.)

Lees has not remained in the public eye, staying away from interviews since publishing her memoir in 2006—until now.

Where Is Joanne Lees Now?

Joanne lived in the UK under the radar and followed her career in social work for years. She has kept a low profile for the most part and rarely spoke publicly.

In July 2025, she was photographed arriving at Darwin Airport with an air of quiet resolve.

A recent report from The Australian stated, that Joanne has been in close cooperation with authorities and met in private with the investigators before the hearing.
She reportedly lives in Yorkshire, working with vulnerable communities. Friends describe her as strong-willed, deeply private, and fiercely protective of Peter’s memory.

Why This Trial Matters After 23 Years

The current inquest is not about finding the killer—Murdoch remains behind bars. It's about locating Peter Falconio’s remains and bringing peace to his family.

The Coroner’s Office reopened the case following new leads and pressure from Falconio’s family, particularly his mother, who still hopes to give her son a proper burial.

Coroner Elisabeth Armitage said in her opening statement that this inquest aims to “clarify what can be known about Peter’s final resting place.”

Lees’ participation is key. Her memory and voice are the only surviving links to that night.

What No One Talks About: The Toll on Lees' Mental Health

Not much has been written about the emotional scars that Joanne has carried since the year 2001. Not only did they doubt, cross-examine, and pummel her with scrutiny, it occurred in front of a global media that had no interest in understanding her trauma. While we have come a long way as a society in supporting the process for trauma survivors, Joanne's experience serves as a disturbing reminder of what so many victims are subjected to in the search for justice.

In an interview a number of years ago, Joanne relayed how people doubting her story made her feel “like the criminal.”

“I didn’t just lose Peter—I lost myself for a while.” - Joanne in an interview with The Guardian.

Her return to Australia years later speaks volumes of her tenacity. 

Public Reactions and Emotional Support Online

Since the bail issue came to the surface, there are many individuals expressing their support on social media.

Why is this Murder in the Outback documentary on now? We waited for Murdoch to die before letting the public see all this evidence & to see her in police interviews changing her vague story. I don’t believe Joanne Lees. She fake cries and that can’t be a good sign.

— KezBenelong🌱 Libertarian (@KezBenn) July 19, 2025

What Happens Next in the Case?

The inquest process is expected to take several weeks; witnesses include police, forensic scientists and bush trackers from the last place Peter was seen.

Murdoch is not required to give evidence, and it is unclear if he will provide co-operation and he still insists on his innocence.

Police have hinted they are using new technology to assist in scanning remote land which includes heat mapping and satellite imagery, and possibly find Peter’s body.

There are even talks that some private landholders close to Barrow Creek may be witnesses.

What This Means for the Falconio Family

For Peter Falconio's family in the UK, the inquest is bittersweet. They have lived with unanswered questions for two decades.

In a public statement released last week, the Falconio family said 
"We are hopeful this new inquest can help us bring Peter home. We thank Joanne for her bravery, and we thank the people of Australia for never forgetting him."