Melbourne Mount Waverley murder update

A neighbour recalls the night two people were found dead in Mount Waverley as police pursue a murder investigation and a possible connection between the suspect and the victims.

Melbourne Mount Waverley murder shocks neighbours

Neighbours were alerted to the Mount Waverley home on Monday night after loud voices were heard. Police found Athena Georgopoulos, 39, who was five months pregnant, and her partner Andrew Gunn, 50, deceased inside the unit. The alleged killer, Ross Judd, 34, who was homeless, was later arrested at Westall railway station with two large dogs and charged with two counts of murder. Police say the investigation is focused on whether the attack was targeted and how the victims were connected to the suspect.

In court on Wednesday, Judd appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court and reportedly smiled in the dock as the charges were read. Prosecutors asked for a ten-week extension to complete the brief due to what they described as a complex crime scene with significant amounts of DNA evidence. Autopsy results for the two victims are expected to be delayed as investigators work through the evidence. Tributes poured in from family and friends, while investigators examine whether graffiti sprayed on the property may be linked to the case.

The case underscores how violence can disrupt peaceful streets and leave families and neighbours in shock. It also highlights the slow, painstaking process of modern homicide investigations, where DNA evidence and crime-scene work can stretch timelines. The public attention around a pregnant victim compounds the emotional impact and raises questions about how media coverage can balance fact with sensitivity. The graffiti and the unknown motive show that questions linger even as authorities pursue a clear line of inquiry.

Highlights

The path to justice will depend on careful detective work and the community's ability to process the tragedy.