Arrest in Italy for 1977 Melbourne Murders of Two Women

A significant development occurred in the investigation of the 1977 murders of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett, who were found dead in their Melbourne home. The arrest of a 65-year-old Greek-Australian dual citizen took place at a Rome airport, following years of police efforts to identify him as a person of interest. The women were killed while Armstrong's young child was in another room, leading to a distressing discovery three days later. The child was unharmed but dehydrated. The case has haunted the community for decades, described by Victoria's chief commissioner as a horrific and frenzied homicide. Despite the passage of time, detectives from the homicide squad have remained dedicated to solving the case, which has been the subject of various books and podcasts. The arrested man could not be charged in Greece due to a 20-year statute of limitations, prompting the issuance of an Interpol red notice. Italian authorities acted on this notice, leading to the man's arrest. Victoria police are now seeking an extradition order to bring him back to Melbourne for prosecution. The timeline for extradition remains uncertain, but it is expected to take at least a month for police to travel to Italy and present evidence. The families of the victims expressed their gratitude towards the police and the community for their unwavering support over the years. They acknowledged the emotional toll the case has taken on their lives and emphasized the importance of the ongoing pursuit of justice for Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett.