Suitcase mur𝗗𝗘r breakthrough: Little girl, 2, whose b𝗢𝗗y was dumped next to a highway in South Australia is the daughter of woman whose remains were discovered in Belanglo forest

The remains of a girl found in a suitcase at the side of a South Australia road have been identified as the daughter of a woman found mur𝗗𝗘red in the forest where Ivan Milat killed seven backpackers.

The pair have been identified as Karlie Jade Pearce-Stevenson, 20, and her daughter Khandalyce Kiara Pearce, two, from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

The link to Belanglo State Forest, south of Sydney, adds another shadow to the location where Milat mur𝗗𝗘red seven backpackers – Britons, Germans and Australians – some 20 years ago.

Detectives from NSW and South Australia Police revealed the breakthrough in the two major investigations on Wednesday.

Remains of a girl found in a suitcase in South Australia have been identified as Khandalyce Pearce. Her mother Karlie Jade Pearce-Stevenson’s skeletal remains were found in NSW’s Belanglo State Forest in 2010

Single mother Karlie, who was 20 at the time, was last seen driving a car with a two-year-old Khandalyce on the Stuart Highway near Cooper Pedy in the Northern Territory on November 8, 2008

South Australian Police Detective Superintendent Des Bray, said: ‘This is one of the most shocking crimes, shocking and unimaginable. Another family has been torn apart and devastated.’

Single mother Karlie, who was 20 at the time, was last seen driving a car with Khandalyce on the Stuart Highway near Cooper Pedy in the Northern Territory on November 8, 2008.

The bones of Khandalyce were found in a suitcase filled with children’s clothes dumped on the side of a highway near Wynarka in South Australia in July this year.

Karlie’s bones were found by trailbike riders in NSW’s Belanglo State Forest in 2010.

Her remains were found two metres from a sock, earring and size 10 Chain Reaction shirt reading Angelic that would have been sold in stores between 2003 and 2006.

The significant development that lead to both females being identified began on October 8 when a call to Crime Stoppers nominated Khandalyce as possibly being the little girl in the suitcase.

The caller had not seen Khandalyce or Ms Pearce-Stevenson for some time and believed they were missing.

Investigators then located a witness who had seen Khandalyce and her mother at Marion Shopping Centre in Adelaide in November 2008.

She had taken photos of Khandalyce wearing a pink dress. That dress is identical to that found with the remains in the suitcase.

The remains of a young girl found in a suitcase (pictured) near Wynarka in South Australia in July has been identified as Khandalyce Kiara Pearce from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory

Detectives from NSW and South Australia Police revealed the breakthrough in the two major investigations on Wednesday

Police were also provided with photos of Khandalyce in a stroller with the handmade quilt – made by the child’s grandmother – that was also found in the suitcase.

It was the 1276th call to CrimeStoppers that broke the case open and led to the identity of a second person associated, police said.

‘As a result of that, we were able to progress a lot of work around government records and were quickly able to ascertain that Khandalyce had her immunisation but after that there were no records and she was never enrolled in school,’ Det Supt Bray said.

Police then accessed Khandalyce’s medical records and a blood sample provided a positive match to the skeletal remains, which was later matched to Karlie’s DNA.

NSW Police Homicide Commander, Detective Superintendent Mick Willing, said the pair were last seen in late 2008 and reported missing in late 2009.

She had moved away from her family with Khandalyce between 2006 and 2008 to travel and work.

‘Karlie’s mum had reported them missing on 4 September 2009, and it is understood she withdrew the report on 9 October 2009 after she was reassured Karlie was safe and well, but did not want family contact at that time,’ Det Supt 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.’

A tip-off to police earlier this month led to detectives finding photos of Khandalyce wearing a pink dress identical to one found a the suitcase her remains were found in

Khandalyce (pictured) and her mother Karlie moved away from their family in Alice Springs between 2006 and 2008 with the intention of travelling or finding work

This badly degraded quilt was found with the child’s remains and is identical to the one pictured with the baby

A call to Crime Stoppers in October nominated Khandalyce as possibly being the little girl in the suitcase after she was photographed wearing a dress (bottom left) identical to one found in the suitcase

Karlie’s (pictured in a police facial reconstruction) remains were found two metres from a sock, earring and size 10 Chain Reaction shirt (right) that would have been sold in stores between 2003 and 2006

Mother Karlie was wearing a shirt reading Angelic that would have been sold in stores between 2003 and 2006

Karlie’s bones were found by trailbike riders in NSW’s Belanglo State Forest in 2010

Det Supt Willing said the NSW and SA Homicide Squads are working closely to complete the picture of Karlie’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,’ Det Supt Willing said.

WHY IS BELANGLO NOTORIOUS?

Belanglo State Forest is in between Sydney and Canberra.

Karlie Jade Pearce-Stevenson’s skeletal remains were found there in 2010.

Seven skeletons were also found in the forest in 1992 and 1993 who were mur𝗗𝗘red by serial killer Ivan Milat – he was convicted in 1996.

Three teenagers, including one related to Ivan Milat, were arrested in 2010 suspected of being involved in the mur𝗗𝗘r of David Auchterlonie who was found in the forest.

‘Anyone who owns or operates these businesses is urged to check their records and help us piece this puzzle together.’

SA Police head of Major Crime, Det Supt Bray said Strike Force Detectives are committed to finding those responsible for the deaths.

‘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,’ Det Supt Bray said.

‘Those responsible for these horrific crimes remain amongst 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.’

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

A motorist driving past Wynarka in South Australia picked up the suitcase and found a jaw bone after a well-dressed man aged in his 60s was spotted carrying the suitcase several weeks earlier

It is believed the girl, aged between two and four years old, may have been dead for about seven years before her b𝗢𝗗y was found

Detectives believe the little girl, aged between two and four years old, suffered a violent death

A number of dresses and other clothing were found inside the suitcase along with the girl’s remains