A 65-year-old man, Perry Kouroumblis, has been charged with the murders of Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, in Collingwood in January 1977. Kouroumblis was extradited from Rome after a two-day journey with Victoria Police detectives. He appeared briefly in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday afternoon, where he was remanded in custody. He is also charged with the sexual assault of Suzanne Armstrong.

Family members of the victims, Gayle Armstrong and Martin Bartlett, expressed relief at the charges. One sister reportedly gave Kouroumblis a “dirty look” during his court appearance. Kouroumblis, who was 17 at the time of the alleged murders, maintains his innocence. The victims, high school friends from Benalla, had moved in together just weeks before their deaths.