DNA test on rape suspect shows link to Falconio murder

A man held on a double rape charge yesterday became the prime suspect for detectives investigating the disappearance of tourist Peter Falconio in the Australian Outback, after a breakthrough in DNA tests.

Police in the Northern Territory said a sample taken from Bradley John Murdoch, a mechanic from Broome, Western Australia, matched blood left on the clothes of Mr Falconio's girlfriend Joanne Lees. The British couple were attacked on a deserted highway near Alice Springs in July last year.

The breakthrough came the day after Mr Murdoch, 44, who has been held since August on suspicion of an unrelated abduction and double rape in the South Australian town of Port Augusta, dropped an appeal against a police decision to carry out a test on his DNA. It remains unclear why he dropped the appeal.

Ms Lees, who has publicly condemned the "false accusations" that she may have been complicit in the murder, was abroad yesterday but her stepfather said he hoped her account of the attack would now be vindicated.

Speaking at his home in Almondbury, Huddersfield, Vincent James said: "I am pleased they have caught the man and that the DNA proved to be positive. I just hope [he] will tell us what happened to Peter. We knew all along Joanne was telling the truth and she was innocent."

The Northern Territory force's Assistant Commissioner, John Daulby, said the investigation would not rely on DNA evidence alone and called on the public for their help.

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

Mr Murdoch was interviewed by police in Western Australia three months after Mr Falconio disappeared.

He was arrested and charged with abducting and raping a mother and daughter, assault and firearm offences and is likely to stand trial in South Australia for the rape charges before any others.

If convicted, he could fight attempts to transfer him to the Northern Territory until he has served a sentence likely to last up to 15 years.

Police described the DNA results as a "significant breakthrough in the case" and said they will seek a warrant for Mr Murdoch's arrest "in the not too distant future". In the meantime, he will remain in custody in South Australia.

Mr Daulby said: "We will continue to liaise with other jurisdictions and [our] detectives will travel interstate, including [to] South Australia and Western Australia, to further investigate the matter. This is a sad occasion. There are no winners."

Mr Falconio, 28, and Ms Lees are believed to have been ambushed by a gunman while driving their van through Barrow Creek, 185 miles north of Alice Springs.

Ms Lees told police that the attacker tied her but she managed to escape into the bush, where she hid for six hours while he searched for her with his dog. She heard a gunshot.

Mr Falconio's disappearance sparked one of Australia's biggest manhunts, but police were unable to find him and have made no arrests.

Aboriginal trackers and 100 police officers searched an area of the Outback twice the size of France and set up roadblocks.

Investigative officers heard and dismissed evidence from a psychic and a water diviner. Ms Lees was also hypnotised, but to no avail.

The tone of Mr Daulby's comments provided a hint that he believes the case is now reaching closure. "I would like to thank my interstate colleagues for their support on the Falconio case," he said.

"I am confident that support will continue until the matter is resolved. The information provided by the public has also been of tremendous help''