After nearly 50 years since the tragic deaths of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in Melbourne, police have extradited suspect Perry Kouroumblis from Italy, reigniting hopes for closure in a case that has haunted the nation.
Cold Case Breakthrough: Australian Suspect Extradited from Italy for 1977 Murders
Cold Case Breakthrough: Australian Suspect Extradited from Italy for 1977 Murders
Perry Kouroumblis extradited to Australia amid ongoing investigations into the brutal Easey Street murders of two women in Melbourne.
A man implicated in one of Australia’s most notorious cold cases, the Easey Street murders, is on his way back to Australia after being extradited from Italy. Perry Kouroumblis, 65, is connected to the unsolved murders of Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, who were brutally stabbed to death in their Collingwood home in 1977.
The investigation into the murders, which has captivated the nation for decades, has reignited with advancements in DNA testing drawing attention to Kouroumblis in recent years. Detained in Italy last September, he has not yet faced charges and continues to assert his innocence. His return is expected late Tuesday.
Kouroumblis first came to the attention of authorities shortly after the crime, when as a 17-year-old, he claimed to have found a bloody knife close to the murder scene. The victims were discovered three days after their last sighting, with Armstrong’s infant son found safe in his cot. Reports indicate the women suffered multiple stab wounds, and Armstrong was also sexually assaulted.
The case has saturated media and popular culture, inspiring true crime literature and podcasts. Notably, in 2017, Victoria Police announced a reward of A$1 million for information related to the murders.
Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton condemned the killings, labeling them “absolutely gruesome” and underscored the impact on the community. Prior to his arrest in Rome, Kouroumblis had been residing in Greece, where legal restrictions on retroactive murder charges complicated law enforcement efforts.
Family members of the victims expressed their enduring pain over the loss, stating the violence of the murders has led to irrevocable changes in their lives. They thanked law enforcement for their relentless pursuit of justice, conveying gratitude for the renewed hope that Kouroumblis’s extradition brings.
