Falconio murderer Murdoch 'has cancer'

Bradley John Murdoch, who is serving a life sentence for the 2001 murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio, has reportedly been diagnosed with cancer.

The 61-year-old refused treatment following his diagnosis earlier this year but is now receiving care in Royal Darwin Hospital, The Northern Territory News reported on Wednesday.

Murdoch pleaded not guilty to the roadside execution-style murder of Mr Falconio and the assault and attempted kidnap of his girlfriend Joanne Lees on the remote Stuart Highway, near Barrow Creek in July 2001.

Ms Lees hid in bushland for five hours while Murdoch hunted her with his dog, before she managed to flag down a truck driver.

Murdoch is believed to have hidden Mr Falconio's body, which has never been found despite extensive searches.