<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>329468</docID> <postdate>2024-09-21 13:50:10</postdate> <headline>Never give up: families praise cold-case murders arrest</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-329469" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/esy-street-murder-victims-e1726890404578.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="485" /></p> <caption>Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett were found dead in their home in January 1977. Photo: Victoria Police</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Rachael Ward</strong> In Melbourne</span></p> <p><strong>The families of two women slain in Melbourne's "Easey Street Murders" almost 50 years ago say they never lost hope of finding the killer, following a breakthrough arrest in Italy.</strong></p> <p>Suzanne Armstrong, 28, and Susan Bartlett, 27, were found dead with multiple stab wounds in their home on Easey Street in Collingwood in January 1977.</p> <p>Ms Bartlett's 16-month-old son was found unharmed in his cot.</p> <p>On Saturday, it was revealed a 65-year-old man was arrested at an airport in Rome on Thursday.</p> <p>The dual Australian and Greek citizen was taken into custody and Victoria Police is seeking to extradite him.</p> <p>The two friends were last seen alive on January 10, 1977. Their bodies were found three days later. The killings became known as the "Easey Street Murders".</p> <p>In 2017, Victoria Police offered a $1 million reward to catch those responsible.</p> <p>The women's families said it was difficult to express their level of appreciation to investigators who tirelessly pursued answers and justice for so long.</p> <p>"The perseverance and dedication required to achieve the result today is something to truly behold," they said in a statement released on Saturday.</p> <p>"For always giving us hope and never giving up, we simply say, thank you."</p> <p>The two friends attended school together in Benalla, in Victoria's high country, and their families said their deaths changed many lives "irrevocably".</p> <p>"For two quiet families from country Victoria it has always been impossible to comprehend the needless and violent manner in which Suzanne and Susan died," they said.</p> <p>"We will be forever grateful for the support and understanding shown to us by our friends and family over the past 47 years."</p> <p>Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton described the arrest as an important breakthrough, but warned there was "still some way to go".</p> <p>"This was a crime that struck at the heart of our community - two women in their own home, where they should have felt their safest," he said.</p> <p>The commissioner said homicide squad detectives and other police had worked tirelessly on the case for decades.</p> <p>"I also want to recognise the enduring resilience of both the Armstrong and Bartlett families, who have grieved for over four decades and no doubt this will be a very emotional time for them," Mr Patton said.</p> <p>"I hope this arrest brings you closer to the answers you so richly deserve and have waited so long for."</p> <p>Investigators say further information on the investigation is set to be made public in the future.</p> </body>