Murder Fugitive Nabbed After 47-Year Hunt
Murder Fugitive Nabbed After 47-Year Hunt
Italian authorities arrested a 65-year-old Greek-Australian man at Rome’s Leonardo Da Vinci Airport on Thursday, finally capturing the prime suspect in the 1977 murders of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett.
These brutal killings took place in the victims’ Melbourne home on Easey Street, marking nearly five decades of mystery.
Victoria police now push for the man’s extradition to Melbourne to face justice. Armstrong, 27, and Bartlett, 28, suffered fatal stab wounds on January 13, 1977.
Investigators found Armstrong’s 16-month-old son unharmed but distressed and dehydrated in the house.
The Easey Street murders stand as one of Melbourne’s most notorious cold cases. Despite decades without answers, the case inspired books, podcasts, and intense public interest.
In 2017, authorities offered a $1 million reward for information that could lead to an arrest.
Victoria’s police chief, Shane Patton, called the arrest a major breakthrough. “This horrific, frenzied homicide struck at the heart of our community. Detectives have worked relentlessly for over 47 years to solve this crime.”
Police identified the suspect years ago but couldn’t press charges in Greece due to a 20-year statute that bars murder prosecutions.
After issuing an Interpol red notice, authorities tracked him down in Italy. Extradition proceedings are moving forward, though Patton expects it could take at least a month to complete.
The families of Armstrong and Bartlett, who have endured 47 years of grief, expressed deep gratitude to police and investigators for their unwavering pursuit of justice. They requested privacy during this emotional time.
Fugitive Nabbed After 47-Year Hunt
