A 65-year-old man suspected of the brutal killing of two women in Australia nearly half a century ago has been apprehended in Rome, Italy. The suspect, who holds both Greek and Australian citizenship, was taken into custody at Rome's Fiumicino airport on Thursday following his arrival from Greece. The man had lived in Greece, where he was shielded by the country's statute of limitations, before being detained on an international arrest warrant. Australian authorities confirmed their intention to start the extradition process, with Italian courts expected to determine the timeline for further actions.

The gruesome crime dates back to January 1977 when the suspect allegedly killed Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, in a knife attack that shocked the nation. The bodies of the two friends were discovered in their rented residence on Easey Street in Melbourne, while Armstrong's young son was found unharmed in a separate room. Both victims had sustained multiple stab wounds in what became known as the "Easey Street murders," a longstanding cold case in Melbourne that remained unsolved for decades. Despite a $1 million reward offered by Victoria Police in 2017, no progress was made in identifying the perpetrator until recent advancements in DNA technology provided a breakthrough in the investigation.

Following the request for a DNA sample, the suspect went on the run, sparking an international manhunt that culminated in his arrest in Rome. The arrest marks a significant development in the case, reigniting hope for justice for the families of the victims after enduring close to 45 years of uncertainty. Australian authorities are determined to pursue extradition proceedings to bring the suspect back to face trial for the heinous crimes committed in 1977. The collaboration between Australian and Italian law enforcement agencies underscores the global effort to hold accountable those responsible for long-standing cold cases, exemplifying the persistence and dedication of authorities in seeking justice for victims of unsolved crimes.