In 2010, the remains of 20-year-old Karlie Pearce-Stevenson were found in Belanglo State Forest in NSW. Five years on, the remains of her daughter, Khandalyce, were found in a suitcase 1200km away next to South Australia’s Karoonda Highway.
Now, Daniel James Holdom has been committed to stand trial for the murder of his former partner Karlie and her daughter, two-year-old Khandalyce.
According to the ABC, police allege Mr Holdom killed Karlie in late 2008 and Khandalyce days later. Mr Holdom has pleaded not guilty to the murders.
During a committal hearing, Crown prosecutor Victoria Engel listed evidence against Mr Holdom. Ms Engel said Mr Holdom was the last person seen with Karlie, and that he allegedly admitted details about to the murders to two people he knew.
The court heard that Mr Holdom allegedly told a witness he had stepped on Karlie’s throat and crushed her windpipe, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
A post-mortem of the mother’s body was consistent with these injuries, the court also heard.
Ms Engel alleged Mr Holdom photographed Karlie’s body after she was dead.
“The evidence including photographing her body … as a trophy of sorts, was indicative of an intention to kill,” she said, news.com.au reports.
Asked if he wanted to respond to the charges against him, Mr Holdom said: “No your honour”.
Mr Holdom will appear in the NSW Supreme Court for arraignment on October 6.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
