Perry Kouroumblis, a 65-year-old dual Greek-Australian citizen, has been extradited from Italy to Australia to face questioning in connection with the 1977 Easey Street murders in Melbourne.

Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, were found stabbed to death in their home; Ms. Armstrong had also been sexually assaulted.

Their one-year-old son was unharmed. The case, which has been the subject of extensive media coverage, including a podcast and a significant police reward offer, remained unsolved for nearly 50 years.

Advances in DNA technology recently led investigators to focus on Kouroumblis, who had initially reported finding a bloodied knife near the scene shortly after the murders. He was detained in Italy in September after an Interpol red notice was issued.

Although he maintains his innocence and hasn’t yet been charged, he is expected to appear in court later this week.

The delay in his arrest was due to legal limitations in Greece, where he had been living, preventing prosecution for murders committed more than 20 years prior. The victims’ families expressed gratitude to the police for their persistent efforts in the case.

Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton described the murders as a horrific crime that deeply impacted the community.