The sibling of one of the two women who met their demise four decades ago in their inner-Melbourne abode has issued a poignant entreaty to the public for information. This appeal comes as the police extend a reward of $1 million to solicit assistance in unraveling this heinous crime.
In the annals of January 1977, Suzanne Armstrong (28) and Susan Bartlett (27) were lethally stabbed within the confines of their residence on Easey Street in Collingwood. According to police accounts, the assailant subjected Armstrong to both sexual assault and stabbing, while Bartlett suffered stab wounds while rushing to her friend's aid upon hearing the tumult.
Gregory, the progeny of Suzanne Armstrong at the tender age of 16 months, was discovered unscathed in his crib three days after the malevolent incident. Subsequently, he found refuge under the guardianship of Armstrong's sister, Gayle. It was, according to Gayle, the plaintive cries of Gregory that alerted the neighbors to the disturbance.
"Gregory was but 18 months old when he was found in his crib after a span of two days. His anguished cries eventually drew the attention of the adjacent neighbor, leading to their discovery," recounted Gayle.
"I assumed the maternal role, and in recent years, he has reconnected with his biological father, maintaining regular visits and establishing a close rapport. His well-being is commendable."
As part of their investigative pursuits, the police have subjected numerous individuals to DNA tests, yet the identity of the malefactor eludes revelation. While some have been absolved of suspicion, the inquiry perseveres. The scene of the crime, transpiring in 1977 at the Easey Street residence where Armstrong and Bartlett resided, remains shrouded in mystery.
Detective Inspector Michael Hughes of the Homicide Squad articulated that approximately 130 individuals pique the interest of the police in this case, many of whom had been subject to prior scrutiny. The ongoing inquiry involves the systematic elimination of each individual, commencing with those who are extant.
Per Detective Hughes, 41 of the initial 130 persons of interest have since departed. Despite this, he reports substantive headway with the remaining individuals on the roster. The purported perpetrator, believed to now be in their sixth or seventh decade, is deemed unlikely to have led a life untainted by transgressions since the reprehensible events 45 years prior, asserted Detective Hughes.
"I posit that one cannot perpetrate such a brutal crime and elude the notice of law enforcement, whether within Victoria or elsewhere," he declared. "I am confident that technology will catch up with them, and our unwavering persistence will, if they are on that list."
According to police narratives, Armstrong and Bartlett shared a childhood camaraderie emanating from Benalla and sustained a tightly-knit social circle in Melbourne. Detective Hughes underscored that Collingwood, the locale of the murders, epitomized a working-class neighborhood where residents harbored a sense of security during that era.
The residence on Easey Street, where Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett met their tragic end in 1977.
Detective Hughes portrayed the murders as a macabre transgression that reverberated through the erstwhile tranquil environs of Melbourne, where leaving doors and windows unlocked was not an unusual practice.
Initial investigations yielded no indicators of forced entry into their domicile.
Preceding the discovery of the lifeless forms of the two women, two missives were left within the abode, according to law enforcement. Inspector Hughes implored anyone interviewed during the period of the murders to reach out to Crime Stoppers. The first cadaver was stumbled upon pinned to the entrance by neighbors who had discovered the woman's stray canine, while the second was left within the dwelling by the victim's boyfriend, who, accompanied by his brother, sought his girlfriend at the location.
"People have relocated, changed residences; we possess scant details on some who may have only been briefly conversed with on that fateful night or within a couple of days," he elucidated.
"If you are amenable to providing your DNA, we wholeheartedly welcome it. The sole individual with anything to conceal here is the perpetrator."
Since the demise of her sister, Gayle Armstrong revealed an aversion to keeping abreast of the news, deeming it too distressing, as it predominantly pertained to individuals of her ilk.
She became visibly moved when questioned about the significance of the ongoing police involvement in unearthing the truth.
"[It signifies] everything, absolutely everything. This is a matter that demands resolution, and this reward should have been proffered 39 years prior, potentially resolving the matter without necessitating our current endeavors."
"I've heard of the miracles that law enforcement accomplishes in solving cases, and I am optimistic that Suzanne's case will be next," she affirmed.
Gayle Armstrong earnestly implores the public for information regarding her sister's tragic demise.
"They will succeed; they will apprehend this individual. With advancements in DNA technology, even if this individual is deceased, avenues to family members can now be pursued to ascertain the veracity of their involvement."
The Director of Public Prosecutions will also weigh the possibility of granting immunity from prosecution to anyone aiding in solving this protracted case.
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