Murder charge in Mount Waverley case

Ross Judd, 34, faces murder charges after the bodies of a pregnant woman and a man were found in a Mount Waverley home.

Murder charge in Mount Waverley double killing

A homeless man, Ross Judd, 34, has been charged with the murders of 39-year-old Athena Georgopoulos and a 50-year-old man inside a Mount Waverley home on Monday night. In Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, prosecutors said the case is complex, with a large amount of DNA to analyse and autopsies delaying the timeline. The police also noted a pregnant victim, which has lengthened processing time. Judd, who appeared in court wearing a black T shirt, received media access to his charges but not all material.

Police were alerted by a neighbour's call about yelling from the property at about 9.20pm on Monday. Officers arrived at 9.50pm and found the two bodies. Judd was later arrested at Westall railway station, about 6km away, while accompanied by two large dogs. Georgopoulos’s mother posted a tribute on Facebook translating a message from Greek, expressing grief and the loss of a granddaughter to come. The next court date is set for January 13, 2026, with Judd appearing by video link.

This case highlights how suburban violence stories can become court room dramas that probe the limits of forensics and procedure. The pregnancy adds a human dimension that often intensifies public interest and scrutiny of the investigation timeline. It also underscores how detectives balance speed with accuracy as DNA analysis and autopsies unfold. Coverage will likely reflect the tension between public transparency and sensitivity toward victims and their families. The public narrative will hinge on lab results, autopsy findings, and the pace of the judicial process, not sensational detail.

Highlights

Authorities will follow the facts where they lead.