Brit backpacker murder mystery remains as police deny reports of bones found
Detectives have denied that remains have been found linked to the case of British backpacker Peter Falconio.
Initial reports claimed that bone fragments had been discovered close to the suspected murder site in Alice Springs, in Australia's Northern Territory.
But Northern Territory Police now say the reports are "factually incorrect" and that no remains had been recovered at all.
The force said: “No human remains have been located by Northern Territory Police, and a search is not currently being conducted.
“Current media reports are factually incorrect.”
Falconio was never found after being shot dead aged 28 by Bradley Murdoch on a remote stretch of highway in the Outback in 2001.
Double killer who slit girlfriend's throat within weeks of release jailed
Peter's family have long-awaited news of where his body could be.
Murdered backpacker Peter Falconio and Joanne Lees (PA)Last year, his mum Joan, 75, appealed to "anyone with a conscience" to reveal where her son's remains are.
Despite multiple searches for the Brit tourist's body over the years, Northern Territory police hadn't been able to track it down.
Other remains were found in 2003, 2004 and 2008, but none could be linked to Peter, according to Nine Newspapers.
Joanne Lees, who survived after being abducted (Getty Images)
DNA evidence from Joanne's clothes identified Murdoch (Getty Images)Murdoch is serving a life sentence for the murder and the abduction of Peter’s girlfriend Joanne Lees, who managed to escape.
DNA in bloodstains on her clothes linked Murdoch to the crime after he was arrested in Adelaide in 2003.
Regarding this week's development, a Northern Territory detective said: "We have been down this track before so we are not jumping to any conclusions."
The age and location of the bones are a close match with the case, police confirmed, but forensics still need to analyse DNA and dental records to see if they belong to the backpacker.
Murdoch has maintained his innocence and refuses to tell cops where the body is located.
Bradley Murdoch, who was convicted of Peter's murder (AFP via Getty Images)Adventurous spirits Joanne and Peter, who met in a nightclub before living together in Brighton, set off for an epic around-the-world trip in November 2000.
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They travelled through Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia before touching down in Sydney, Australia.
Both loved the nightlife in the busy city but after five months knew it was time to move on and planned a huge road trip from Sydney to Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, and finally ending up in Brisbane.
It was a journey Peter would never finish after he was shot in the dead of the night on a deserted highway.
While Peter's body hasn't been found to this day, Joanne had to return home without the man she loved.
Joanne and Peter in their campervan (PA)It was while the couple were driving along the Stuart Highway in the outback of the Northern Territory that they were flagged down by another driver, who told them their van was having engine trouble.
Peter got out and went to look with the man at the damage - it was then that Joanne heard a single shot.
The man then threatened her with a gun and tied her up but she managed to escape while he was moving her tragic boyfriend's body.
For five hours, Joanne cowered in terror in some bushes - a move that could have saved her life.
Some years later, she said it was either "run or be raped", describing her fears of being sexually assaulted on the remote highway.
When the sun finally came up she ran out onto the road and flagged down a truck driver, who took her to safety.
Bradley Murdoch was arrested on suspicion of Peter's murder in 2003 and was convicted on December 13, 2005.
At trial, the case became open and closed when a speck of Murdoch's DNA was found on the back of Joanne's shirt.
However, his defence team argued that he didn't have to be at the scene for the blood to end up on her top, claiming that his DNA could have been transferred by sitting in the same seat as Murdoch at a restaraurant in Alice Springs.
Peter disappeared on a remote stretch of highway in the Australian outback (PA)Supporting claims of Murdoch's innocence, other experts say the backpacker may have survived the ordeal - with several key witnesses coming forward to say they have seen him. One even asserted they'd spotted him a week after the attack.
Others say that his body may never be found as it may have been buried in a well or destroyed by wild animals.
Last September, politician Frank Pangallo urged the Northern Territory government to post an A$1million (£580,000) reward for the recovery of Peter’s body.
Mrs Falconio said she and her husband Luciano, 80, feel officers have given up.
She wrote to Mr Pangallo last year and said: “We want to bring Peter home where he belongs near his family. Our pain is always with us.
Joanne's bloodstained T-shirt (PA)“He was murdered 21 years ago, aged just 28 years.
“Peter has a beautiful niece and two lovely nephews who he never got to see or know.
"I am appealing to anyone with a conscience to help me however small to tell me where he was put.
“His life stopped on a lonely road - the Stuart Highway on 14th July 2001.
"Shot dead by cowardly Murdoch, who will not reveal where or what he did with him.”
Peter, from Hepworth, West Yorkshire, would have turned 50 last year, while Joanne Lees, who lives near Huddersfield, is now 47.
Murdoch is believed to have disposed of the body between Alice Springs and Broome, 1,000 miles away in Western Australia, an area covered by a vast desert.
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