The lead investigator into the death of British tourist Peter Falconio has revealed why his convicted killer will likely die before helping to locate the backpacker's body.
Bradley John Murdoch, 67, was jailed for life over the 2001 killing of Mr Falconio, then 28, on a remote stretch of highway north of Alice Springs, though no remains have been found.
He was also convicted of the assault and attempted kidnapping of Falconio's girlfriend Joanne Lees, who managed to escape into surrounding bushland.
It was revealed this week throat cancer-stricken Murdoch had been moved to palliative care and would soon die, raising the risk the secret of Mr Falconio's whereabouts could die with him.
The news prompted Northern Territory police to double their reward for information that led to the location of Mr Falconio's body to $500,000 on Wednesday.
