A key development has emerged in Australia’s notorious cold case, the Easey Street murders. Perry Kouroumblis, a suspect in the 1977 stabbing deaths of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in Melbourne, has been extradited from Italy to face potential charges.
The gruesome murders of Suzanne Armstrong, aged 27, and Susan Bartlett, aged 28, have haunted Australia for nearly half a century. The two women were discovered in their home on Easey Street, Collingwood, having been fatally stabbed multiple times. Armstrong’s one-year-old son was found unharmed in the house, adding to the shocking nature of the crime that deeply disturbed the nation.
Despite exhaustive investigations, the case remained unsolved for decades. However, breakthroughs in DNA testing in recent years directed attention towards Perry Kouroumblis, a dual Greek-Australian citizen. Initially noticed by police a week after the murders due to his claim of finding a bloodied knife near the crime scene, Kouroumblis has not been charged but maintains his innocence. His arrest in Italy came after an Interpol red notice was issued, citing two counts of murder and one of rape.
The women’s families have felt the impact profoundly, with a statement acknowledging the permanent change in their lives due to the violent deaths of Suzanne and Susan. Forensic advancements only recently made it possible to re-examine evidence, resulting in the focus on Kouroumblis, who had left Australia approximately seven years ago and settled in Greece. Legal constraints in Greece, which limit the timeframe for prosecuting murders, delayed his arrest until he relocated to Italy.
Victoria Police has never relented in their attempts to resolve the case. In a 2017 appeal, they offered a significant reward for information leading to an arrest. The community response has kept the case alive in public consciousness, spawning true crime books and a popular podcast. Commissioner Shane Patton described the murders as both horrific and a breach of the safety expected within a person’s own home, illustrating the lasting impact on the local community.
The extradition of Perry Kouroumblis marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the Easey Street murders. As he returns to Australia, the possibility of justice for Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett looms, providing a sense of hope for their families and the broader community.
Source: BBC
