A man has been arrested in relation to the murder of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson.

UPDATE: A man is in police custody for allegedly murdering Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and is expected to be charged later this evening.

Homicide detectives arrested a 41-year-old man at Cessnock Police Station around 4.15pm this afternoon, according to a joint statement from NSW and SA Police.

Inquiries into the murder are continuing, but police expect to charge the man with Karlie’s murder later tonight.

Here is what we reported when police first identified a link between Karlie and her daughter Khandalyce:

Homicide detectives have identified the remains of a little girl, whose body was dumped in a suitcase on a South Australian highway in June.

She is Khandalyce Kiara Pearce, born in Alice Springs in 2006. Her identity was confirmed through DNA technology.

Earlier today, SA police reported that a genetic link had been found between the child and the bones of another young woman, which were found in New South Wales’ notorious Belangio State Forest in 2010.

The woman has been named as Karlie Jade Pearce-Stevenson — she has previously been dubbed “Angel” because of a shirt she was found with.

Police were tipped off that the girl in the suitcase may been Khandalyce by a call to Crime Stoppers.

The caller said they had not seen her or her mother for some time and believed they were missing.

Khandalyce’s medical records, obtained by detectives, showed she was immunised at 18 months, but there was no further record of her receiving medical treatment or being enrolled in school.

One of the last sightings of the mother and daughter was at Marion Shopping Centre in Adelaide in 2008.

Mr Pearce-Stevenson was seen taking photos of her daughter in a pink dress, which was among the belongings that were found with the toddler’s body.

At the time she was 20-years-old and Khandalyce was two.

Detective Superintendent Des Bray said that the circumstances and place of the murders is yet to be determined but that family and friends of the victims have now been informed.

“This is one of the most shocking crimes imaginable and has torn apart and devastated a loving family,” Mr Brey said in a statement.

“Those responsible for this crime are truly evil and remain amongst us in the community and must be held accountable for what they have done.

“We are calling on every community across Australia to provide any information they have to Police that may help solve this crime. If you know something, please contact police now.”