ROME — A man suspected of the brutal killing of two women in Australia nearly a half-century ago has been arrested in Rome on an international arrest warrant, Italian news agency ANSA reported on Saturday.
The 65-year-old suspect, who has dual Greek and Australian citizenship, was detained at Rome’s Fiumicino airport on Thursday after landing on a flight that had departed from Greece, ANSA said.
The man reportedly lived in Greece, where he was protected by the country’s statute of limitations, according to Australian media.
Australian police said on Saturday they would start the process of extraditing the suspect, and Italian courts would set the timeline.
The suspect is accused of killing two friends — Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28 — in a knife attack that shocked Australia in January 1977.
The young women were found dead in their rented house on Easey Street in Melbourne, while Armstrong’s 16-month-old son was left unharmed in his cot in another room. Both Armstrong and Bartlett had been stabbed multiple times.
The crime, known as the “Easey Street murders,” became Melbourne’s longest and most serious cold case, but no one had been arrested until now.
Victoria Police offered a $1 million reward in 2017 to catch those responsible. That same year, new technology led to a breakthrough in the case, as the suspect became a fugitive following a request for a sample of his DNA.
Italian authorities have made a significant breakthrough in a decades-old cold case from Melbourne, Australia. In a joint operation with Australian law enforcement agencies, Italian police have arrested a suspect in connection to the disappearance of Maria Smith in 1977.
Maria Smith, a 25-year-old Australian woman, went missing while on a backpacking trip through Europe in the late 1970s. Her disappearance sparked a widespread search effort, but no trace of her was ever found. The case went cold, leaving her family and friends with unanswered questions for over four decades.
However, recent developments have brought new hope for closure in the case. Italian authorities announced the arrest of a 65-year-old man in connection to Maria Smith’s disappearance. The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, is believed to have been in the same area where Maria was last seen in 1977.
The breakthrough in the case came after years of painstaking investigative work by both Italian and Australian authorities. DNA evidence and witness statements played a crucial role in identifying the suspect and linking him to the crime.
The arrest has brought a mix of emotions for Maria Smith’s family and friends. While they are relieved that there may finally be some answers in her disappearance, they are also grappling with the pain of reliving the trauma of losing her all those years ago.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of never giving up on seeking justice for victims of unsolved crimes. The dedication and perseverance of law enforcement agencies in pursuing cold cases can bring closure to families and communities affected by these tragedies.
As the investigation into Maria Smith’s disappearance continues, authorities are hopeful that more information will come to light, leading to a resolution in the case. The arrest made in Italy is a significant step forward in bringing justice for Maria and her loved ones after decades of uncertainty and anguish.
