Murdoch files reopened

POLICE are reviewing the background of convicted killer Bradley John Murdoch for links to a string of unsolved murders and disappearances in Western Australia.

Murdoch, from Broome in WA's far north, was jailed this week in the Northern Territory for a minimum 28 years after being convicted of the murder of British tourist Peter Falconio and the assault on his girlfriend Joanne Lees.

WA Police today said Murdoch's methodology and criminal profile were now being carefully scrutinised for possible links to several missing women across the state.

Details from the court case will be examined for extra information on Murdoch's whereabouts at the time of unsolved crimes or any links to disappearances which may have gone unrecorded, Sgt Graham Clifford said.

The cold cases being investigated include Perth's Claremont serial killings, the disappearance of teenager Hayley Dodd, 17, last seen in 1999 near Badgingarra north of Perth, and a Broome woman missing since 1996.

"Police have been aware of him (Murdoch) for a while," Sgt Clifford said.

"It's normal police procedure to r

evisit (unsolved crimes) on a regular basis.

"Maybe something has come out of this latest court case that will be of some interest."

Meanwhile newspapers today released extracts from the only book to be published containing interviews conducted with Murdoch from inside prison.

Murdoch told author Robin Bowles he was innocent but prepared for a guilty a verdict.

"Why wouldn't I be found guilty? ... I've been paraded round the country like a prize catch on every media outlet you can be on for years," he said.

He said he planned on becoming a "fitness freak" in jail, and that life inside was easy.

"No rent, three square meals a day, no tax, no parking fines.

"You work a couple of hours then watch TV, read a bit ... I'll be a 63-year-old fitness freak and eligible for a pension when I get out."

Murdoch's sentence was longer than he expected and he will be 73 when he is first eligible for parole.

Murdoch admitted to drug running and selling hydroponic cannabis to Aborigines around Broome but said he did not kill Mr Falconio, suggesting that the Briton may still be alive.

He said his DNA found on Ms Lees T-shirt, the only hard evidence in an otherwise circumstantial case, was planted.

"Hepi (a former friend he fell out with over drugs) must have given them some of my clothes with blood on them where I cut myself," he said.

Ms Bowles book Dead Centre will be published by Random House next week.