Detectives from NSW, SA and the ACT and NT are investigating the murders and have searched homes – linked to both mum and child – in South Australia and in Canberra.
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“This is one of the most shocking crimes, shocking and unimaginable, and another family has been torn apart and devastated”, Det Supt Bray said.
When a driver found the remains of a child in a suitcase on a deserted stretch of the highway, police were baffled and checked dozens of missing person profiles in a bid to find out who they belonged to.
Speaking in Sydney, NSW Homicide Squad Commander Det Supt Mick Willing said that they had identified a number of suspects.
Karlie is believed to have been killed sometime around December 2008, in or near the Belanglo State Forest where her body was discovered in 2010.
As police narrow in on those responsible for the brutal murders, it has been revealed that the main suspect is already in a NSW prison.
“And that’s evident by the fact that we’re doing search warrants across Australia”, South Australia Police Detective Superintendent Des Bray said.
“We have been able to establish now that that man has been seen in that area before the suitcase was discovered by people travelling that road, and he continued to be seen after [that] carrying his suitcase up and down the road after the suitcase had been recovered”.
“We are now pursuing a very strong line of inquiry but we are keeping an open mind”.
Detectives have identified several potential suspects and are hopeful of a swift arrest.
Karlie Pearce-Stevenson had a handsome personality but was troubled in her teenage years, according to a close friend who welcomed the then-teenager into her Alice Springs home after she fled a family argument.
As well as family and friends, detectives have also ruled out a more recent owner of Karlie’s 1996 red or maroon VL Commodore station wagon.
Investigators then found a witness who claimed to have seen Khandalyce and Ms Pearce-Stevenson at a shopping centre in November 2008.
On October 8, a call came through to CrimeStoppers that provided a breakthrough for police and linked the two cases.
“We still believe that friends or associates… hold the keys to their deaths”, Detective Superintendent Willing said.
“She just stayed with me as she was fighting with her family”.
“Things can change very quickly but I suggest to you, this is more of a marathon than a sprint”. He went on: “We’re asking that all landlords, motel operators, caravan park, cabin parks, have a look at your records, everything’s on computer, it’s not hard”.
Family say the mother and daughter will be laid to rest in Alice Springs thanks to funds raised by the public and the help of the local government.
DNA from the Belanglo bones was successfully cross-matched to the bones of Khandalyce and detectives confirmed the woman’s body was that of Karlie Jade Pearce-Stevenson.
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The officers said while the community response was “overwhelming” they cautioned people to be careful about spreading misinformation.
