DNA Breakthrough in Falconio Case

Detectives investigating the murder of British tourist Peter Falconio today confirmed that a man held on a double rape charge is now the "primary suspect" in the case following DNA tests.

DNA taken from Bradley John Murdoch, a mechanic from Broome, Western Australia, matches blood found at the scene in the Australian outback where Mr Falconio is believed to have been killed, Northern Territory police confirmed.

However, the force's assistant commissioner, John Daulby, said the investigation would not rely on DNA evidence alone and called upon the public for their continued help.

He said that after discussions with the director of public prosecutions, Rex Wild QC, they could only announce limited details to the public relating to the case. But he confirmed that police attention would now be focused on the "activities of this person and his travels".

Mr Murdoch was arrested on suspicion of an unrelated double rape but police later named him as "a person of interest" in Mr Falconio's case. They wanted to compare his DNA to a sample taken from blood found on the clothes of Mr Falconio's girlfriend, Joanne Lees, also from Huddersfield.

The couple were attacked in July last year on a deserted highway near Alice Springs. Ms Lees managed to escape; Mr Falconio's body has not been found.

Mr Murdoch was interviewed by police in Western Australia three months after Mr Falconio disappeared. He gave no reason earlier this week for his decision to drop an appeal against the DNA tests.

He was arrested in August this year in the South Australian town of Port Augusta and charged with abducting and raping a mother and daughter, assault and firearm offences.

It is likely he will have to stand trial in South Australia for the rape charges first. If convicted, he could fight attempts to transfer him to Northern Territory province until he has served a sentence that would probably be about 15 years.

Mr Daulby said: "We will continue to liaise with other jurisdictions and Territory detectives will travel inter-state, including South Australia and Western Australia, to further investigate the matter."