QUESTIONS have been raised over the withdrawal of a missing persons report for a mother and daughter whose remains were found thousands of kilometres apart in two different states.

Police today revealed that DNA tests genetically linked Khandalyce Kiara Pearce and her mother Karlie Jade Pearce-Stevenson — and led to their identification.

The bones of Khandalyce were found in a weathered suitcase dumped beside the Karoonda Highway near Wynarka in July.

Her mother’s body was found by bike riders on the side of a dirt road in the Belanglo State Forest south of Sydney in 2010.

The pair were last seen driving a on the Stuart Highway near Cooper Pedy, South Australia on November 8, 2008.

Ms Pearce-Stevenson was a single mum from Alice Springs who moved away between 2006 and 2008 for work.

media_camera The suitcase which contained the remains of murdered girl Khandalyce Kiara Pearce.

media_camera A memorial at the site where the body of Khandalyce Pearce was found.

media_camera Forensic crews investigate the discovery of a body in a suitcase.

On September 4, 2009, her mum reported them missing. Five days later, however, she withdrew the report after being reassured Ms Pearce-Stevenson was safe and well but did not want contact from her family at the time.

“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,” NSW Police Homicide Commander, Detective Superintendent Mick Willing said.

“Even after this time, the extended family believed Karlie and Khandalyce were safe and well living interstate.

media_camera Karlie Jade Pearce-Stevenson’s body was found beside a dirt road in the Belanglo State Forest.

media_camera Her remains were found by people riding trail bikes in the area.

Det Sup Willing, however, refused to comment on where those reassurances came from.

Both deaths have been described as “violent and deliberate” but police would not comment on the cause of death.

South Australia Police Head of Major Crime, Detective Superintendent Des Bray is urging the public to help in the investigation.

“It’s about the murder of a little girl and everybody in our community must get behind the family and the police and provide whatever information they have about this,” he said.

“The friends and associates, it’s important we know them. We encourage them to make contact through Crime Stoppers.”

He said the mother and daughter were at different times in Darwin, Alice Springs, Adelaide and Canberra.

“We know they’ve stayed in motels, caravan parks, along that route and other areas and possibly through the Murray Mallee and Riverland.

“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.

Originally published as Why was the missing persons report withdrawn?