A man faced court today charged with murder following an investigation into the disappearance of a nine-year-old girl from Mount Wilson.

Strike Force Buena was established by Blue Mountains Police Area Command, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, to investigate the disappearance of a nine-year-old girl after she was reported missing from Mt Wilson on Friday (14 January 2022).

Following extensive investigations, officers attached to the strike force yesterday (Tuesday 18 January), conducted a search in the vicinity of the Colo River.

With the assistance of the Police Divers, Hawkesbury Police Area Command, Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Operational Support Group (OSG) and Police Rescue Squad, the body of a child was located in a barrel. The body is yet to be formally identified.

A crime scene was established and is being examined by specialist forensic officers.

As part of ongoing investigations, detectives attached to Strike Force Buena attended a unit in Riley Street, Surry Hills, about 8.30pm last night (Tuesday 18 January 2022), and arrested a 32-year-old man.

He was taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with murder. The man was refused bail to appear in Central Local Court today. Investigations under Strike Force Buena are continuing.

Image NSW Police: The arrest of a 31-year-old man at Surry Hills last night.