Justin Stein has been arrested and charged with the murder of his partner’s daughter.

Nine-year-old Charlise Mutton, Queensland Resident, was on a holiday in New South Wales with her mother when she disappeared. Charlise was reported missing in the Blue Mountains last week Friday 14 January 2022. Her disappearance sparked a massive search by police officers, firefighters and State Emergency Service volunteers. The search ended on Tuesday 18 January 2022, when her body was found in a barrel near the Colo River.

An investigation by over 200 officers identified Stein, Charlise’s mother’s fiancé, as a suspect. Officers analysed GPS data and CCTV footage, and found ‘anomalies’ in his movements. He was shown to have attended a hardware store and purchase fuel and a number of sandbags. He next tried to float a boat at a dock in Sydney which failed as the boat was inoperable. Stein allegedly then travelled to the Colo River area, near where the body was found.

Deputy Commissioner Hudson said, “Until the post-mortem is conducted, we are still uncertain of what exactly happened to her. What we are sure of, is that the accused that we charged with murder was responsible for, firstly, placing her in the barrel, and then disposing of that barrel in the bushland where she was located.”

Stein faced court Wednesday 19 January for the murder charge but has not entered a plea, or applied for bail. Stein’s lawyer did note, however, that his client had long-term mental health problems. He is to return to court on 18 March 2022.

Many continue to mourn the tragedy of the young girl’s death. On Thursday 19 January 2022, hundreds of people in the community gathered for a vigil at Charlise’s school. School friends and teachers spoke about her kind and loving personality, saying, ‘Her bright smiling face and her beautiful nature shone as bright as her spirit is now.’

Police investigations are to continue to determine the exact nature of the sweet girl’s demise. With lots of emotional drive coming from the community, it is no doubt that this is only the start of a long journey as this matter travels through the criminal justice system.

Justin Stein has been arrested and charged with the murder of his partner’s daughter.

Nine-year-old Charlise Mutton, Queensland Resident, was on a holiday in New South Wales with her mother when she disappeared. Charlise was reported missing in the Blue Mountains last week Friday 14 January 2022. Her disappearance sparked a massive search by police officers, firefighters and State Emergency Service volunteers. The search ended on Tuesday 18 January 2022, when her body was found in a barrel near the Colo River.

An investigation by over 200 officers identified Stein, Charlise’s mother’s fiancé, as a suspect. Officers analysed GPS data and CCTV footage, and found ‘anomalies’ in his movements. He was shown to have attended a hardware store and purchase fuel and a number of sandbags. He next tried to float a boat at a dock in Sydney which failed as the boat was inoperable. Stein allegedly then travelled to the Colo River area, near where the body was found.

Deputy Commissioner Hudson said, “Until the post-mortem is conducted, we are still uncertain of what exactly happened to her. What we are sure of, is that the accused that we charged with murder was responsible for, firstly, placing her in the barrel, and then disposing of that barrel in the bushland where she was located.”

Stein faced court Wednesday 19 January for the murder charge but has not entered a plea, or applied for bail.  Stein’s lawyer did note, however, that his client had long-term mental health problems. He is to return to court on 18 March 2022.

Many continue to mourn the tragedy of the young girl’s death. On Thursday 19 January 2022, hundreds of people in the community gathered for a vigil at Charlise’s school. School friends and teachers spoke about her kind and loving personality, saying, ‘Her bright smiling face and her beautiful nature shone as bright as her spirit is now.’ 

Police investigations are to continue to determine the exact nature of the sweet girl’s demise. With lots of emotional drive coming from the community, it is no doubt that this is only the start of a long journey as this matter travels through the criminal justice system.

 

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