No human remains have been found, according to Australian police, despite reports linking an alleged discovery to the case of a murdered British backpacker.

Peter Falconio, 28, was shot dead on a remote highway near Barrow Creek in the Northern Territory on 14 July 2001.

Bradley Murdoch was convicted four years later of killing Mr Falconio and assaulting his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, at gunpoint during the ambush.

Media reports emerged on Friday suggesting human remains had been found in the outback near Alice Springs – around 200 miles south of Barrow Creek.

The Sydney Morning Herald said they would be “cross-checked against the Falconio case because of their age and location”.

But Northern Territory Police said the reports are “factually incorrect” and a search is “not currently being conducted”.

Assistant Commissioner Michael White said in a statement: “Northern Territory Police would like to advise the public that speculating on the identity on any missing person causes unwarranted grief and trauma to the family and friends.”

Ukraine war – latest: Putin travelling in armoured train because he is ‘scared’ to fly – as ‘up to half’ of Russian convict fighters killed or wounded

Russia set for joint naval drills ‘with hypersonic missile’ as major security summit begins

Those who fled to Turkey from war-torn Syria are being forced back after earthquake

Murdoch is serving a life sentence with a 28-year non-parole period but he has never said where Mr Falconio’s body is hidden.

Police launched a fresh appeal for information to help find the backpacker’s remains in 2021, some 20 years after his murder.

Related posts:

What are the rules on care home visits from 8 March? Man accused of murdering woman and cutting up her body ‘freaked out’ when she died suddenly, court hears Bottles thrown at police called to break up COVID rules-busting party As pub gardens and shops reopen in England, PM urges nation to ‘behave responsibly’ This year’s climate summit in Glasgow is last hope for limiting global warming, minister to warn Vaccine fraudster jailed after charging 92-year-old pensioner £140 for fake jab Three-year-old child and police officer found dead at address in Worcestershire COVID deaths and hospital admissions expected to fall in August, scientists suggest Stonehenge to repair cracks and holes in biggest work for 60 years Boris Johnson cost GQ magazine £4,000 in parking tickets, former editor claims Rollout of new variant-busting COVID-19 jabs gets under way in England Man guilty of murder over e-scooter row outside Subway