In short:
A 65-year-old man has been arrested at an airport in Rome over the murder of two women in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood in 1977.
It’s a major breakthrough in a case that has frustrated Homicide Squad detectives for almost 50 years.
What’s next?
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton says while there is still some way to go in the investigation, he hopes the arrest will bring the grieving families closer to the answers they deserve.
A man has been arrested in Italy over the infamous Easey Street murders in inner-city Melbourne almost 50 years ago.
A 65-year-old man, who is a dual citizen of Australia and Greece, was nabbed at an airport in Rome on Thursday night, with a charge and warrant placed for his arrest.
The arrest follows a decades-long investigation by Victoria Police’s Homicide Squad, following the murders of housemates Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, who were found dead at their home in Easey Street, Collingwood on January 13, 1977.
The Easey Street house where Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett were murdered in 1977. (Supplied: Victoria Police)
Both women, who had last been seen alive on the evening of January 10 that year, had been stabbed multiple times.
Police said Ms Armstrong was sexually assaulted and stabbed by the offender, while it is believed Ms Bartlett was stabbed after she heard the disturbance and went to the aid of her friend.
However, Ms Armstrong’s 16-month-old son Gregory was left unharmed in his cot, where he remained alone for days.
The man remains in custody, with Victoria Police now working to seek his extradition to Victoria.
A vital breakthrough after 47 years of tireless work, says chief commissioner
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the arrest was an important breakthrough, following 47 years of tireless work by Homicide Squad detectives.
In January 2017, police announced a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the murders.
The back door at the Easey Street house where the two women were killed in 1977. (Supplied: Victoria Police)
“The Easey Street murders, as they came to be known, have always been a priority for Victoria Police and an enormous amount of work has been done by many, many people to bring us to the position we are in today,” Chief Commissioner Patton said.
“As well as the Homicide Squad, this includes a large number of police and staff from a range of specialist areas across the organisation. All have been wholly committed to finding answers and holding those responsible for these deaths to account.
“This was a crime that struck at the heart of our community — two women in their own home, where they should have felt their safest.”
Chief Commissioner Patton said while there was still some way to go, the arrest was a crucial breakthrough.
‘Enduring resilience of both families’
Gayle Armstrong makes a plea to the public in 2017 for information on her sister’s killing. (ABC News)
Chief Commissioner Patton said he wanted to recognise the “enduring resilience” of both the Armstrong and Bartlett families.
“No doubt this will be a very emotional time for them,” he said.
“I hope this arrest brings you closer to the answers you so richly deserve and have waited so long for.”
Ms Armstrong’s sister, Gayle, raised Gregory after his mother was killed.
Speaking in 2017, she said it was his cries that alerted the neighbours to trouble.
“He was 18 months old, he was in the cot for two days before they found him, and it was only because of his crying that the next-door neighbour found them when they did,” she said.
“I was his mum and in recent years he has found his own father and he visits them regularly and has got quite close to them, so he’s going OK.”
During that press conference seven years ago, Gayle Armstrong became emotional when asked what it meant to her that police were still actively involved in trying to find the killer.
“It’s something that has to be finalised and this reward should have been offered 39 years ago and it’d be solved and we wouldn’t be doing all this now.”
She had not lost hope that there would be a breakthrough.
“I hear the miracles that [police] do solve [cases] and I think Suzanne will be next,” she said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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