Nine-year-old Charlise Mutten was shot dead before her body was dumped in a barrel in bushland in the Blue Mountains, police have revealed.

Detective Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said a post mortem revealed the girl – who was reported missing from Mount Wilson on January 14 – suffered a gunshot wound.

“Charlise … suffered a fatal gunshot wound and that’s how she died,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“It’s important that the public know that this is an unimaginable and egregious murder of a child. Investigations are still ongoing.

“The crime scene at Mount Wilson is ongoing.”

The child’s disappearance triggered an intensive five-day search of bushland until her body was discovered a week ago, in a barrel dumped near the Colo River northwest of Sydney.

Justin Laurens Stein, 31, faced court last week charged with murder after being arrested at a Surry Hills unit.

Police have interviewed Charlise’s mother Kallista who provided a statement that she was not present at the property at the time of the murder and corroborated other key evidence.

Police have released CCTV of a red Holden Colorado that was seen driving around the Wisemans Ferry area and Colo River area and are appealing to anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in those locations. 

AAP

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