New images released in Outback gunman hunt

Police video stills of the man police believe could assist them with their inquiries

By CNN's Grant Holloway and wires

ALICE SPRINGS, Australia -- Police have released images of a man they are seeking in relation to the suspected murder of British tourist Peter Falconio in Australia's remote Northern Territory about three weeks go.

The images are from a petrol service station security camera in the town of Alice Springs and show an enhanced picture of the man and an image of his vehicle.

An unknown assailant is believed to have shot and killed Falconio, 28, and attempted to abduct his 27-year-old girlfriend, Joanne Lees who managed to escape.

COUNTRY PROFILE At a glance: Australia Provided by CountryWatch.com    CNN.com Asia More news from our Asia edition

The photos were taken in the early hours of Sunday, July 15, a few hours after the abduction and suspected murder took place.

Northern Territory police said the man, driving a white Toyota four-wheel drive utility vehicle with a canvas back, parked in the truck area and purchased diesel fuel.

He then entered the shop and bought ice and water.

Police said the images had not been released earlier because of the need to enhance the video footage.

Enhanced video footage of the truck used by the man police are looking for

Police on Tuesday also confirmed that the body of a man found south of Alice Springs a few days ago was not that of Falconio.

Northern Territory Police Assistant Commissioner of Crime John Daulby said the man who had been found had died of multiple stab wounds to the neck.

"It appears the man, believed to be in his late 30s, died at the scene several days ago," Daulby said.

Daulby said there was no evidence at this crime scene to link the man's death with the Falconio and Lees incident.

Investigators suspect Falconio died soon after he was shot in the ambush which occurred 300km north of Alice Springs.

His partner Lees was bound and gagged but managed to elude the gunman.

A massive manhunt over the Northern Territory, an area five times the size of Britain, has failed to find any trace of the gunman or of Falconio.

Police have followed up hundreds of possible sightings of the gunman across Australia but have gathered few firm leads despite a manhunt using Aboriginal trackers and aircraft.

Police have also offered a reward of $130,000 (Aust. $250,000) for information leading to an arrest of the gunman.

Reuters contributed to this report.