A man will face court today charged with murder following an investigation into the disappearance of a nine-year-old girl, whose body was found in a barrel overnight.
Strike Force Buena was established by Blue Mountains Police Area Command, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, to investigate the disappearance of nine-year-old Charlise Mutten after she was reported missing from Mt Wilson on Friday.
The girl, who normally resides with her grandmother in Coolangatta, Queensland, had been holidaying in the Blue Mountains with her mother at the time of her disappearance.
“Following extensive investigations, officers attached to the strike force yesterday conducted a search in the vicinity of the Colo River,” NSW Police said in a statement today.
“With the assistance of the Police Divers, Hawkesbury Police Area Command, Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Operational Support Group (OSG) and Police Rescue Squad, the body of a child was located in a barrel. The body is yet to be formally identified.
“A crime scene was established and is being examined by specialist forensic officers.
“As part of ongoing investigations, detectives attached to Strike Force Buena attended a unit in Riley Street, Surry Hills about 8.30pm last night, and arrested a 32-year-old man.”
The man, named Justin Stein (pictured), was taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where he was charged with murder.
He was refused bail to appear in Central Local Court today.
