Peru Six: Relief as murder-accused Australians cleared

EXCLUSIVE: Jess Vo speaks of her nightmare after she and a group of Australians known as the ‘Peru six’ are cleared of brutally beating a doorman and then throwing him out of a 16th-floor window.

Jessica Vo, Sam Smith and Andrew Pilat with Tom Hanlon, Harrison Geier, and Hugh Hanlon / Supplied

FOR the past four years, a “harrowing dark cloud” has hung over the heads of a group of Australians dubbed the Peru Six.

Accused of brutally beating Lima doorman Lino Rodriguez Vilchez and then throwing the 45-year-old to his death from a 16th-floor window, the cloud lifted on Friday when the six were notified by Peru’s government that the case would not proceed.

Peru Six . Sam Smith, Andrew Pilat, Harrison Geier, Tom Hanlon, Jessica Vo and Hugh Hanlon / Supplied

While the six — Sydneysiders Harrison Geier, Sam Smith, Andrew Pilat and Hugh Hanlon, and Hugh’s Geelong-based brother Tom Hanlon, and Jessica Vo, who now lives in London — would not reveal the substantial legal tab that had been run up fighting for their innocence, they said a “lifelong friendship” had been forged from the anguish.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph last night, Ms Vo said she and the other five felt “immense relief” the “nightmare” was over.

Lino Rodriguez Vilchez who was allegedly thrown from a unit block in Peru.

The Lima apartment block where the alleged murder took place.

“It has been a torturous four years, not knowing what was in store, not being able to plan our futures; we have been living life in limbo,” Ms Vo said.

The six met backpacking in South America. Ms Vo and the Hanlon brothers first crossed paths with Mr Smith, Mr Geier and Mr Pilat in Argentina, and made plans to hike the arduous Machu Picchu Inca Trail.

The Peru Six say their lives have been on hold for the past four years.

The trip had been a gift to Ms Vo from her former partner Hugh, to celebrate her recovery from ovarian cancer. Following the gruelling hike, they splurged on a penthouse on the Miraflores beachfront.

During their stay Mr Rodriguez Vilchez was found dead on the exit ramp of the parking lot. The six were questioned and initially cleared of involvement. Mr Rodriguez Vilchez’s death was ruled a suicide.

Jess Vo said she and the other five felt “immense relief” the “nightmare” was over / Picture: Nathan Edwards.

The group continued their holiday and returned home.

But, after the dead doorman “appeared” to his siblings in dreams, the family agitated for the case to be reopened. Mr Rodriguez Vilchez died with gambling debts and had been reportedly chased by loan sharks. The Peruvians demanded the Aussies be extradited to face murder charges and the four-year legal tussle began.

Tom Hanlon and mum Teresa. Picture: Glenn Ferguson