Suspect Arrested in 1977 Easey Street Murders, Bringing Hope for Justice

Authorities have announced the arrest of a 65-year-old man at an airport in Rome in connection to the 1977 murders of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in Collingwood, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. These homicides have remained one of Victoria‘s most notorious unsolved cases, haunting the community for nearly five decades.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton confirmed the arrest, declaring it a major breakthrough in a case that has frustrated detectives for years. “The Easey Street murders, as they came to be known, have always been a priority for Victoria Police,” stated Commissioner Patton. “An enormous amount of work has been done by many, many people to bring us to the position we are in today.”

The suspect, described as a dual citizen of Australia and Greece, had fled Australia after becoming aware he was a suspect. He initially escaped to Greece, where local laws prevented his arrest due to a legal timeframe requiring charges to be laid within 15 years of the offense. Efforts through diplomatic channels to secure his return had previously failed, leading to his inclusion on an international watch list, eventually resulting in his arrest in Italy.

On January 13, 1977, housemates Armstrong, aged 27, and Bartlett, aged 28, were discovered deceased in their home on Easey Street. Armstrong was reportedly stabbed 29 times and sexually assaulted, while Bartlett was stabbed more than 50 times after responding to her friend’s distress. The crime shocked the local community as Armstrong’s 16-month-old son, Gregory, was found unharmed in his crib days later, his cries having alerted neighbors to the tragedy.

A 2017 announcement by police offered a $1 million reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. At the time, they were actively reviewing 130 persons of interest. Chief Commissioner Patton expressed hope that the recent arrest would move the case closer to resolution, acknowledging the persistence of both the investigative team and the surviving families in seeking justice over these long years. “I hope this arrest brings you closer to the answers you so richly deserve,” he said.

Gayle Armstrong, sister of Suzanne Armstrong, shared her emotions when speaking in 2017 about the ongoing police efforts. She explained her nephew Gregory’s survival as a pivotal part of the case, noting, “He was in the cot for two days before they found him, and it was only because of his crying that the next-door neighbor found them when they did.” Gayle has acted as Gregory’s guardian since the brutal killings and remains hopeful for a resolution.

Police are continuing their efforts to extradite the suspect to Australia, where he will face charges related to the murders. Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online via the Crime Stoppers Victoria website.