NewsBite

UPDATED

Easey St, Melbourne: Police charge Perry Kouroumblis with 1977 double-murder of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett

The sister of one woman slain in the notorious Easey St double-homicide almost 50 years ago has come face to face with the alleged killer.

Family speak after man charged over 1977 Easey Street slayings

The sister of a woman slain almost half a century ago has delivered a “dirty look” as she came face to face with her alleged killer.

Perry Kouroumblis, 65, was spotted being brought into the custody centre at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court shortly before 3pm on Wednesday afternoon after two days of travel from Rome with Victoria Police detectives.

He appeared in the dock half and hour later, having a short glance around the packed courtroom before his eyes fixed on Magistrate Leon Fluxman.

Mr Kouroumblis covered his face as he was brought into court. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele
Mr Kouroumblis covered his face as he was brought into court. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele
The 65-year-old maintains he is innocent. Picture: Facebook
The 65-year-old maintains he is innocent. Picture: Facebook

Mr Kouroumblis sported a grey beard and untamed grey hair and was represented by Bill Doogue.

He stood, exposing a thin frame, and spoke only once to say “yep” and nodded his head as he was told he would be remanded into custody over Christmas.

Police allege Mr Kouroumblis murdered two young housemates in a “frenzied” attack nearly half a century ago in Collingwood.

Two murder charges were formally laid on Wednesday in relation to the deaths of Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, in January 1977.

He is also charged with “having carnal knowledge with Suzanne Armstrong without her consent” in the same date range.

The two women were high-school friends from Benalla in Victoria’s northeast and moved into together just weeks before their deaths.

Suzanne Armstrong with son Gregory. Picture: Supplied
Suzanne Armstrong with son Gregory. Picture: Supplied
Susan Bartlett. Picture: Supplied
Susan Bartlett. Picture: Supplied

Mr Kouroumblis would have been 17 years old at the time of the alleged murders.

Days later police found the women dead suffering dozens of stab wounds, although Ms Armstrong’s 16-month-old son was located in the house unharmed.

The cold-case, which came to be known as the Easey St murders, has for decades been one of Victoria Police’s highest priorities.

According to charge sheets released by the court, a warrant was issued for Mr Kouroumblis in May 19, 2020, alleging he was overseas “avoiding apprehension”.

He is represented by lawyer Bill Doogue. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele
He is represented by lawyer Bill Doogue. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Police allege the two women were murdered between January 10 and January 13, 1977.

Italian authorities detained Mr Kouroumblis, a dual Australian-Greek national, in September after he arrived via a flight from his home in Greece.

At the time of his arrest, Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton said the killings had “struck at the very heart of the community”.

“It was an absolutely gruesome, horrific, frenzied homicide,” Mr Patton alleged.

“If anyone believes or believed that cold cases are simply put on the backburner … I think this is testament to the fact we don’t forget.”

Police in 1977 outside Easey Street Collingwood where Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett were found. Picture: ABC News
Police in 1977 outside Easey Street Collingwood where Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett were found. Picture: ABC News
Easey St murders suspect spotted on plane

Mr Kouroumblis maintains his innocence and did not contest his extradition.

He was remanded into custody and will return to court in February.

Outside of court, Suzanne Armstrong’s sister Gayle Armstrong said she was feeling “half ecstatic, very scared, very appreciative to our detectives”.

“I gave him a dirty look,” she said of Mr Kouroumblis, with a laugh.

“He didn’t look too happy,” Martin Bartlett, the brother of Susan Bartlett, responded.

Martin Bartlett and Gayle Armstrong were present in court. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele
Martin Bartlett and Gayle Armstrong were present in court. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Mr Bartlett said he hoped the court case would bring closure to their two families after decades of uncertainty.

“I think it’s not really fair that my sister died in her 20s,” he said.

Ms Armstrong said it was good that the community still remembers and cares about what happened to her sister in 1977.

She said when she heard charges had been laid she “got up and had a dance”.

“Those detectives have just done a miracle job,” she said.

Read related topics:Melbourne

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/national/courts-law/easey-st-melbourne-police-charge-perry-kouroumblis-with-1977-doublemurder-of-suzanne-armstrong-and-susan-bartlett/news-story/ff8f6763e7025f06f091340bff518ecf