South Australian Police have revealed that the offenders involved in the murder of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson “took over” her identity following her death.
The single mum’s body was found in NSW’s Belanglo State Forest in 2010 but SA Police say some accounts remained active until mid-2011 and her bank account was closed this year.
“All up, we believe over $90,000 was transacted through her account,” Detective Superintendent Des Bray, the Officer in Charge of Major Crime Investigation Branch, said, 9news reports.
“People who we believe who may be the offenders and others have taken over Karlie’s identity – her telephone, her bank accounts, her Centrelink and other payments.”
Police can reveal the bank accounts have been accessed on more than 1200 occasions since she was last seen in 2008.
SA police have also revealed Mr Pearce-Stevenson’s phone was also used after she was killed to provide “proof of life” to her family and friends.
Disturbingly, in June 2010, a woman in a wheelchair impersonated Ms Pearce-Stevenson and attended Australian Central Credit Union Elizabeth to update banking records.
And in December 2010, a woman also claimed to be her and attended a compulsory interview with Centrelink.
Her daughter Khandalyce’s bones were found dumped in a suitcase on the side of a highway at Wynarka in South Australia in July this year.
However, the remains were only positively identified in recent weeks after cross-matching DNA.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
