Perry Kouroumblis, implicated in the gruesome Easey Street homicides, will face Australian authorities as detectives revive a long-sought quest for justice.
Suspect in Notorious 1977 Melbourne Murders Extradited from Italy
Suspect in Notorious 1977 Melbourne Murders Extradited from Italy
Extradition marks a potential breakthrough in a case that has haunted families and communities for decades.
The decades-old mystery surrounding the 1977 murders of two young women in Melbourne has reached a pivotal moment with the extradition of Perry Kouroumblis from Italy. Authorities have long pursued Kouroumblis, now aged 65, in connection with the brutal killings of friends Susan Bartlett, 28, and Suzanne Armstrong, 27, who were violently stabbed to death within their home in Collingwood.
The enigmatic case, often referred to as the Easey Street murders, gained renewed attention thanks to recent advancements in DNA testing. Kouroumblis initially came under police scrutiny shortly after the crime, when a then-teenage Kouroumblis reported discovering a bloody knife near the scene. Despite this connection, it was only in recent years that he emerged as a key suspect due to forensic developments.
After being detained in Italy in September, Kouroumblis is expected to land in Australia late on Tuesday, although he has not been formally charged and continues to assert his innocence. Both women were found dead three days after their last sighting, with Armstrong's infant son unharmed in his cot.
The investigation has drawn considerable media interest over the decades, being the focus of police appeals, true crime literature, and several podcasts exploring the tragic events. In 2017, Victoria Police even announced a reward of A$1 million for credible leads to the case.
The Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Shane Patton, described the murders as "an absolutely gruesome, horrific, frenzied homicide," reiterating the profound impact this crime had on the community. Following Kouroumblis's arrest, families of the victims expressed their ongoing pain, stating the violence of the incident had irrevocably altered their lives. They recognized the relentless efforts of law enforcement to seek justice and thanked them for providing hope despite the years that have passed since the tragedy.
The enigmatic case, often referred to as the Easey Street murders, gained renewed attention thanks to recent advancements in DNA testing. Kouroumblis initially came under police scrutiny shortly after the crime, when a then-teenage Kouroumblis reported discovering a bloody knife near the scene. Despite this connection, it was only in recent years that he emerged as a key suspect due to forensic developments.
After being detained in Italy in September, Kouroumblis is expected to land in Australia late on Tuesday, although he has not been formally charged and continues to assert his innocence. Both women were found dead three days after their last sighting, with Armstrong's infant son unharmed in his cot.
The investigation has drawn considerable media interest over the decades, being the focus of police appeals, true crime literature, and several podcasts exploring the tragic events. In 2017, Victoria Police even announced a reward of A$1 million for credible leads to the case.
The Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Shane Patton, described the murders as "an absolutely gruesome, horrific, frenzied homicide," reiterating the profound impact this crime had on the community. Following Kouroumblis's arrest, families of the victims expressed their ongoing pain, stating the violence of the incident had irrevocably altered their lives. They recognized the relentless efforts of law enforcement to seek justice and thanked them for providing hope despite the years that have passed since the tragedy.
