The identities of two females, whose remains were found dumped in NSW and South Australia years apart, have been revealed following a major police breakthrough.
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Detectives from NSW and South Australia revealed on Wednesday they believe the little girl found in a suitcase in Wynarka this year is the daughter of a woman whose skeleton was found in the Belanglo State Forest in 2010.
The woman has been identified as Karlie Jade Pearce-Stevenson and her daughter as Khandalyce Kiara Pearce, from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
"Karlie was a single mum and had moved away from her family with Khandalyce between 2006 and 2008, intending to travel and work," police said.
"Investigators have confirmed Karlie was last seen driving a car with Khandalyce on the Stuart Highway near Coober Pedy [South Australia] on Saturday, November 8, 2008
The woman has been identified as Karlie Jade Pearce-Stevenson and her daughter as Khandalyce Kiara Pearce, from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
"Karlie was a single mum and had moved away from her family with Khandalyce between 2006 and 2008, intending to travel and work," police said.
"Investigators have confirmed Karlie was last seen driving a car with Khandalyce on the Stuart Highway near Coober Pedy [South Australia] on Saturday, November 8, 2008.
"At that time, Karlie was aged 20, and Khandalyce was aged two."
A joint agency operation involving homicide detectives in South Australia, NSW, the Northern Territory and ACT has now been established to investigate both deaths.
NSW Police Homicide Commander, Detective Superintendent Mick Willing, said the pair were last seen in late 2008 and were reported missing in late 2009.
Karlie's mum had reported them missing on September 4, 2009, and it is understood she withdrew the report on October 9, 2009, after she was reassured Karlie was safe and well, but did not want family contact at that time," Detective Superintendent Willing said.
"Police were told Karlie was sporadically in contact with her mother, but the contact became less frequent over time, and sadly, Karlie's mum has since passed away.
"Even after this time, the extended family believed Karlie and Khandalyce were safe and well, living interstate."
Detective Superintendent Willing said the NSW and South Australian homicide squads were working closely to complete the picture of Ms Pearce-Steven's life, particularly since the birth of Khandalyce in 2006.
"We are appealing for assistance from the community to help us identify their friends and associates as they travelled throughout Australia, as well as landlords, motels, caravan parks or campsites where they stayed during this time," Detective Superintendent Willing said.
"Anyone who owns or operates these businesses is urged to check their records and help us piece this puzzle together.
"We have numerous lines of inquiry to follow, and while we will do our best to keep the community informed, we need to first establish fact from fiction and ensure we avoid speculation, which could damage our investigations," he said.
Wednesday's announcement came after detectives in both states have been running separate investigations in a bid to identify the females.
In 2010, bones were found in Belanglo State Forest. Investigators later revealed the bones belonged to a woman and that she suffered a violent death due to certain signs on the bones.
For the past five years, homicide detectives have been exploring many avenues in an attempt to identify the woman, who was dubbed "Angel" after the motif on her shirt.
In July this year, police in South Australia were faced with a strikingly similar situation.
The bones of a young girl were found in a suitcase on the side of the Karoonda Highway in Wynarka.
Police said the girl was aged between 2½ and four - and there was little doubt she died a violent death.
Commonwealth records were trawled through, missing persons lists exhausted and images of the aged and tattered clothing released to the media.
But they were unable to identify the girl.
On Wednesday, South Australia Police head of Major Crime, Detective Superintendent Des Bray, thanked the community for their support so far with the investigation.
"Both SA and NSW detectives have had excellent support from the community to help identify Karlie and Khandalyce, including nearly 1300 Crime Stoppers calls for each case," he said.
"In addition, we have received great support from our law enforcement colleagues across the country and from a number of government agencies in our respective states.
"It is with everyone's assistance we have reached this very important breakthrough, but it is important to note the identification is only the beginning of the investigation.
"This is one of the most shocking crimes imaginable; one that has not only devastated a family, but also had a terrible impact on the wider community.
"Those responsible for these horrific crimes remain among us in the community, and they must quickly be caught and held to account for their actions.
"We need assistance from people throughout Australia who may have seen this young mum and her little girl travelling around at any time over the past 10 years," Detective Superintendent Bray said.
RELATED COVERAGE:
- OCTOBER 1, 2015: Dash cam footage of Wynarka suitcase
- AUGUST 24, 2015: Wynarka's little girl lost
- AUGUST 4, 2015: Police search for more clues in Wynarka bones case
- JULY 26, 2015: Home-made quilt new clue in SA 'child in suitcase' investigation
- JULY 16, 2015: Body of young child found on Karoonda Highway
