Backpacker murder case opens in Darwin

The brother of missing British backpacker Peter Falconio will be one of the first witnesses called in the case against his accused killer, the Darwin Magistrates Court was told yesterday.

Paul Falconio will travel from Britain to give evidence that the family had not heard from Peter Falconio since he disappeared from an Outback highway in July 2001.

Bradley John Murdoch, 45, is charged with the murder of Falconio near Barrow Creek, north of Alice Springs, and the unlawful assault and deprivation of liberty of Falconio's girlfriend Joanne Lees. A committal hearing begins in Darwin on May 17.