The long-awaited extradition of Perry Kouroumblis, a suspect in the infamous 1977 murders of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in Melbourne, Australia, marks a significant development in a case that has captivated the nation for almost five decades. Kouroumblis, detained in Italy, will return to Australia as police continue to seek justice for the victims.
Extradition Complete: Suspect in 1977 Melbourne Murders Returns Home
Extradition Complete: Suspect in 1977 Melbourne Murders Returns Home
Perry Kouroumblis, the prime suspect in the notorious Easey Street murders, is extradited from Italy after nearly half a century of investigation and speculation.
Perry Kouroumblis, a 65-year-old man suspected in one of Australia’s most notorious cold cases — the Easey Street murders — is returning to Australia following his extradition from Italy. The murders of 28-year-old Susan Bartlett and 27-year-old Suzanne Armstrong in their Melbourne home in 1977 have haunted the nation for nearly half a century.
Kouroumblis became a focal point of the investigation only recently, thanks to advancements in DNA testing. Despite not facing charges and asserting his innocence, detectives believe his alleged involvement warrants further examination. He was arrested in Rome in September and is slated to land back in Australia by late Tuesday.
The investigation initially picked up on Kouroumblis after he claimed to have discovered a bloodied knife near the crime scene shortly after the women went missing. Their bodies were uncovered three days later, and the crime's brutality — with both women suffering more than a dozen stab wounds, and Armstrong reportedly sexually assaulted — shocked the community.
The case has remained in the public eye, inspiring police appeals, true crime literature, and popular podcast coverage. In a move to solicit leads, Victoria Police even announced a $1 million reward back in 2017.
Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton characterized the murders as "an absolutely gruesome, horrific, frenzied homicide," emphasizing the profound impact on the local community where the crime took place. Kouroumblis, a dual citizen of Greece and Australia, had evaded custody due to legal stipulations in Greece regarding the timeliness of murder charges.
Following Kouroumblis’s arrest, the families of the deceased expressed the deep and lasting void left by the crimes, stating that they have struggled to understand the violent nature of the murders. They showed gratitude to the police for maintaining hope and persistence in pursuing the case that has dramatically altered their lives.
