After a decades-long investigation into the 1977 murders of Susan Bartlett and Suzanne Armstrong, suspect Perry Kouroumblis has been extradited from Italy. The case was reignited thanks to advanced DNA testing, bringing renewed hope to the victim's families.
Cold Case Reopened: Suspect Extradited from Italy in Notorious 1977 Murders
Cold Case Reopened: Suspect Extradited from Italy in Notorious 1977 Murders
Perry Kouroumblis, the prime suspect in the unresolved Easey Street murders, faces extradition to Australia nearly five decades after the brutal killings.
In a significant breakthrough in one of Australia's most enduring cold cases, Perry Kouroumblis, the key suspect in the infamous Easey Street murders of 1977, has been extradited from Italy back to Australia. This case, which involves the tragic murders of childhood friends Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, has captured public attention for nearly five decades as detectives work relentlessly to find justice.
The gruesome crime took place in a Melbourne residence, where the two women were found stabbed to death just days after going missing. Their one-year-old son was also discovered unharmed in his crib, instilling shocking fear within the local community. The case garnered renewed focus on Kouroumblis after advancements in DNA testing identified him as a person of interest, although he has yet to be formally charged and continues to assert his innocence.
Kouroumblis, now 65 years old and a dual Greek-Australian citizen, was apprehended in Italy in September, despite having been the focus of an Interpol red notice for charges of murder and rape since he left Australia approximately seven years ago. His initial contact with law enforcement occurred shortly after the murders when, at the age of 17, he claimed to have discovered a bloodied knife near the crime scene in Collingwood.
Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton commented on the case, describing it as "an absolutely gruesome, horrific, frenzied homicide" that struck a deep chord within the community. He highlighted the public's long-standing interest in the case, which has inspired numerous appeals for information, true crime literature, and even a popular podcast.
The murder investigation long remained unsolved, prompting Victoria Police to offer a reward of A$1 million in 2017 for any leads related to the case. The families of the victims have expressed their gratitude to the police for their relentless efforts in pursuing justice, acknowledging the profound and irrevocable impact that the murders had on their lives.
Kouroumblis is expected to arrive in Australia late on Tuesday, where he may finally face justice for a crime that has haunted the nation for nearly half a century.
