A horrific crime left the entire Greek community in Melbourne in shock when a 39-year-old pregnant woman, Athena Georgopoulos, and her partner were murdered in their own home on Monday night. Victoria Police arrested 34-year-old homeless man Ross Judd hours later, six kilometers from the house where the couple was killed. According to authorities, the perpetrator – who had two large dogs with him – knew the victims.
The 34-year-old perpetrator was brought to Melbourne court in a calm mental state. Judd is charged with two murders: the 39-year-old woman who was five months pregnant with a baby girl, and her 50-year-old partner Andrew Gan, who was found by a neighbor in a horrific state. Gan’s body was discovered decapitated next to his dead partner, with his head impaled on a stake.
Perpetrator remained smiling and calm
“It’s a complex crime scene with significant amounts of DNA,” the prosecutor said about the crime scene, adding that “One of the individuals was pregnant…” Police requested a ten-week extension for the suspect’s detention to prepare a case file with evidence from the complex case, according to the Herald Sun.
The defendant’s lawyer, Annie Allen, noted it was the first time Judd had been in custody and requested that prison nursing staff examine him for “health issues.” According to Melbourne media, the accused stared straight ahead throughout the hearing and answered “yes, yes” when Judge Joanna Metcalf described the details of his next court appearance on January 13 and asked if he understood. Judd smiled when the judge approved the media’s request for access to his charges but denied other material.
According to Australian network 7News, Judd was seen shortly after 11 PM on Monday – about an hour after the double murder – arriving barefoot at a fast food restaurant with his dogs – two German Shepherds – ordering two cheeseburgers and a diet soft drink. After finishing his meal, he wiped himself with napkins that he threw on the floor.
Horror in Australia: neighbor mistook severed head for STOP sign
A neighbor of the murdered couple said she heard loud arguments and shouting from next door around 8:50 PM on Monday, along with continuous dog barking. The woman explained that her neighbors often argued, so initially she didn’t pay much attention.
However, her housemate went outside to see if he could help and saw a man running away and rushed to Georgopoulos and Gan’s house. He then discovered the bodies and graffiti on the fence and exterior walls of the residence with phrases written in yellow-green and black paint like “U R Gay,” “Enough Already,” “betrayal,” and “Karma,” which Melbourne police are investigating for their connection to the crime, and immediately notified authorities.
“At first, he thought it was a STOP sign, but when he shined his flashlight on it, he realized it was a human head,” the neighbor said. “When I heard my housemate’s description upon his return, my legs gave out. It was hard to believe something so horrific had happened just six meters away from me,” she said.
Greek community in shock: heartbreaking Facebook messages for Greek-Australian victim
Athena Georgopoulos’s Facebook account was flooded with messages of grief from Greek-Australians and others over her tragic loss.
Some of the messages include:
“My heart is broken… My beloved cousin, you and your unborn baby left us too early in the most tragic and incomprehensible way. There are no words to describe this pain – there’s no way to understand how someone full of life, love and promises can be taken from us so violently. Rest in peace, Athena, and you too, my little girl.”
“The memories we shared growing up will never be forgotten. I still remember the endless nights when we were 13 and the poker games we played, as well as the good old nights with drinks. My condolences to all your loved ones and family members,” another message stated.
