Police searching for British backpacker Mr Peter Falconio in central Australia said today the body of a man found next to an Outback highway was not Mr Falconio.
An autopsy performed overnight confirmed the body found south of the central city of Alice Springs was not Mr Falconio, who went missing on July 14th.
Northern Territory Assistant Commissioner John Daulby said: "We have identified [the body] although we can't release his name because we haven't found his next of kin. The cause of death is fatal stab wounds to the neck".
The body was found by local people near the Stuart Highway, about 40 miles south of Alice Springs on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Falconio (28) has been missing and presumed dead since he and his girlfriend Ms Joanne Lees were ambushed by a gunman on the Stuart Highway 190 miles north of Alice Springs more than three weeks ago.
Police yesterday released security images taken at a service station in Alice Springs showing a man who fits the description of the gunman, and of his white pickup truck.
The images were taken by a security video camera in the early hours of Sunday, July 15th, police said in a statement.
The man's canvas-covered vehicle is shown parked in the truck area. The man is seen in the shop, where police said he bought ice and water.
PA