The crime scene was too gruesome to clean completely, with a large amount of blood making it impossible to fully cover up the horrific event. Forensic examination later revealed that the perpetrator had taken a shower while the victims lay dead on the floor, with Armstrong’s 16-month-old baby in his cot. The arrest of a suspect, a 65-year-old dual citizen of Australia and Greece, in Rome came as a great relief to those involved in the case. The case had remained unsolved for years, and the arrest of a suspect, especially a 17-year-old, was unexpected. The victims were known to be trusting, often leaving their front and back doors unlocked, which may have made them vulnerable to an intruder.
The lead investigator, Hiscock, spent days walking the streets and knocking on doors in extreme heat during the investigation. He initially suspected crime reporter John Grant, who was staying next door and had been one of the last people to see another woman who disappeared. Despite his suspicions, a DNA test conducted years later cleared Grant as a suspect. The investigative methods at the time were limited, with no access to technologies such as CCTV, phone pings, or DNA testing that are common in modern investigations. The arrested suspect had been checked near Easey Street at the time of the murders as a teenager, carrying a knife, but was released. Hiscock explained that carrying a knife as a Greek teenager during that time was not necessarily suspicious due to the high crime rate in the area.
The arrest in Rome brought renewed hope to the case, with fresh investigators having to dig through old police documents to find evidence of the teenager being stopped near the scene of the crime. Hiscock emphasized the importance of thorough record-keeping and the belief that the answer to solving the case would be found within the existing files. The presence of notorious criminal figures, such as the Kane brothers, in the area at the time may have contributed to the suspect’s carrying a knife for protection. The investigative process was challenging, especially without the technological advancements available to modern-day detectives, making it a difficult case to crack.
The community was shocked by the arrest of the suspect, with many unable to believe that a 17-year-old could have been responsible for such a heinous crime. The victims’ trusting nature was highlighted as a factor that may have made them vulnerable to an intruder. Despite the challenges faced during the initial investigation, the perseverance of the detectives involved ultimately led to the arrest of a suspect decades later. The breakthrough in the case brought closure to many involved and highlighted the importance of persistence and thorough investigation techniques in solving cold cases. The arrest in Rome opened a new chapter in the investigation, shedding light on details that had remained hidden for years.
The case serves as a reminder of the complexity of criminal investigations and the impact of technological advancements on solving cold cases. The evolution of forensic examination techniques and the availability of modern technology have transformed the way detectives approach solving crimes. The arrest of the suspect in Rome marked a significant milestone in the case, bringing closure to those affected by the tragic events. The dedication and diligence of the investigators involved in the case played a crucial role in unraveling the mystery surrounding the murders. The community’s reaction to the arrest reflected a mix of shock, relief, and renewed hope for justice.
