Key Takeaways:
– Perry Kouroumblis, a dual Australian-Greek citizen, was extradited from Italy in connection with the 1977 “Easey Street” murders.
– He will face Australian court on charges of double homicide and one count of rape.
– Decades-long investigation, inclusive of DNA testing, ultimately led police to the once elusive suspect.
Breaking New Ground in Cold Case Investigation
In a significant breakthrough for Australian crime investigations, Perry Kouroumblis, who had evaded capture for the grisly 1977 “Easey Street” murders, was extradited from Italy. Aged 65 now, Kouroumblis stands accused of a nearly 50-year-old horrifying crime involving the brutal killing and rape of two women.
A Date with Justice
The extradition allowed Victoria Police to bring Kouroumblis back to Australia on Tuesday evening. Following an interrogation session with detectives, the man will face a court appearance on Wednesday afternoon where he will formally be charged with two counts of murder and one count of rape.
Shedding Light on the Murders
The victims, Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett, both in their late twenties, resided on Easey Street, Melbourne. They were last seen alive on the evening of January 10, 1977. Three days later, their bodies, bearing multiple stab wounds, were discovered at their home in a gruesome scene that shocked the nation. Armstrong had also been sexually assaulted, police reports noted.
Harrowing discovery brought to light the chilling fact that Armstrong’s 16-month-old son had been left unattended in his cot during this horrific event. The infant was found unharmed when the police reached the scene.
Rising to the Challenge
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton characterized the homicides as “gruesome, horrific, and frenzied.” After Kouroumblis’ arrest in Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport in September, Commissioner Patton referred to the stabbings as “multiple and frenzied,” highlighting the depravity of the crime.
In an effort to bring the perpetrators to justice, the Victoria Police initiated DNA tests on potential suspects back in 2017. Kouroumblis allegedly fled to Greece soon after being approached for a sample, intensifying suspicion around him.
Rewarding Resolution
Victoria Police, in a bid to resolve the state’s infamous cold case, had offered a hefty reward amounting to Aus$1 million (US $680,000) for useful information. Coupled with relentless pursuit by the Homicide Squad over four decades, this incentive played a crucial role in driving the investigation forward.
Legacy of the Long-Standing Investigation
This case personifies a triumph of forensic science over time and faded trails. The arrest and forthcoming trial serve as testaments to relentless policing and the power of modern advancements in DNA testing. As Kouroumblis braces for his court appearance, it marks the beginning of the end for one of Australia’s most notorious unsolved cases. Despite spanning decades, the persistence of the Homicide Squad ensures that the “Easey Street” murders may finally see justice served.