How the Kylie Maybury case has unfolded

KYLIE MAYBURY'S THREE DECADES TO JUSTICE

HER DEATH

* Kylie and her mum visit their neighbour Lorna Simpson on Melbourne Cup day, November 6, 1984. Kylie is sent to a nearby shop to buy sugar - she leaves the shop with the sugar but never makes it home.

* The alarm is raised and a search ensues. The next day her body is found dumped in a gutter in Preston.

CLUES

* Weeks later an anonymous caller tells police a white Holden Kingswood station wagon was involved in Kylie's death. In May 1997 a second anonymous caller nominates a person of interest.

REWARD FOR INFORMATION

* In 1985 police announce a $50,000 reward for information. It's later increased to $1 million.

DNA INVESTIGATION

* In 1995, a DNA profile from Kylie's clothes is taken.

* In 2001, convicted child killer Robert Lowe, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of another six-year-old, is DNA tested but cleared as the prime suspect in Kylie's murder.

* Last year, Gregory Keith Davies consents to a DNA swab and it matched the DNA profile on Kylie's clothing with a probability of 100 billion to 1.

ARREST

* In June 2016, Davies is arrested at his Waterford Park home and charged with Kylie's rape and murder.

PLEA

* On Monday, on the first day of his pre-trial committal hearing, Davies, 74, pleads guilty to both charges. Prosecutors withdraw a charge of false imprisonment.

SENTENCE

* Davies is remanded into custody to face a Supreme Court directions hearing on Tuesday. He will face a plea hearing, where sentencing submissions will be made, at a date to be fixed.

Sources: Victoria Police, AAP files.