Positive DNA match for Falconio suspect

DNA taken from a suspected rapist matches blood found at the scene in the Australian outback where Peter Falconio is believed to have been killed.

Bradley John Murdoch, 44, has been named as the "primary suspect" by Northern Territory police investigating the suspected murder of Peter Falconio.

He finally abandoned his objections and agreed to allow his DNA to be compared with blood from the scene where it is believed the Huddersfield tourist was killed.

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.

Ms Lees managed to escape, but despite a massive manhunt, neither Mr Falconio's body nor his attacker has been found.

Murdoch, a mechanic from Broome in tropical Western Australia, was interviewed by police in Western Australia state three months after Mr Falconio disappeared. He gave no reason earlier this week for his decision to drop the 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.