Latest news with #AthenaGeorgopoulos
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Clean the blood': Alleged murderer's chilling bottle shop act after couple killed in Melbourne
Chilling new details have emerged of a homeless man's movements after he allegedly murdered a pregnant woman and her partner in Melbourne, with staff claiming he walked into a local bottle shop 'soaked in blood'. Ross Judd, a 34-year-old man with no fixed address, was charged with the murder of Athena Georgopoulos, 39, and her partner, Andrew Gunn, 50, whose bodies were found at a unit on Adrienne Crescent in Mount Waverley on Monday night. Mr Gunn had been found decapitated with his head reportedly mounted on a spike. Shortly after the killings, Mr Judd, who has two German Shepherds, was seen at a local bottle shop wearing a dark hoodie about 9.48pm on Monday, The Australian reports. The 34-year-old was seen purchasing a number of beverages while his two dogs waited outside for about 10 minutes. Staff could reportedly be heard in CCTV footage saying Mr Judd was 'soaked in blood'. 'He asked for napkins and water to clean the blood,' one staff member told the publication. 'I didn't want any trouble so we let him come inside and buy whatever he wants.' It comes after claims emerged on Wednesday the accused killer also dined out on fast food just minutes after the crime. Witnesses said they saw a man 'covered in blood' ordering McDonald's approximately two kilometres from where the victims were killed. The man was accompanied by two German Shepherds wearing bandannas and 'stood at the food pick up counter wiping the blood on his hands with tissues,' according to one diner. An employee at McDonald's said the man ordered a Coke Zero and two medium cheeseburgers without pickles. Earlier that night, before the alleged double murder, a man matching the description of Mr Judd was seen in footage, obtained by 7News, leaving a Melbourne Bunnings with what appeared to be a stake and a jerry can in his arms. The Bunnings is located in Notting Hill, just 1.5km from Ms Georgopoulos and Mr Gunn's Mount Waverley home. Moments later, at about 8.10pm on Monday, the same man was captured on dashcam footage approaching Ferntree Gulley Road. At 9.55pm that evening, police swarmed Ms Georgopoulos and Mr Gunn's home after neighbours heard screaming and called triple-0. Mr Judd was arrested just hours later. Footage shows the moment a man with a bloodied shirt and no shoes was handcuffed and taken away by police. Mr Judd fronted Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday for a brief administrative hearing, charged with two counts of murder. Flanked by two guards, he stumbled as he entered the court. 'I beg your pardon, yeah I'm all good,' he said. Mr Judd was wearing a dark-coloured T-shirt and sported a short beard and hair spiked up in a faux-hawk. At one point, he smiled and winked at members of the media. The court was told police were seeking an extra 10 weeks to prepare a brief of evidence in the case. Police allege the accused was known to the couple, and that one of the victims lived in the unit. Dog dispute could hold key An argument over dogs may have caused friction between Mr Gunn and his alleged murderer. Neighbours had reportedly noted tension between Mr Judd, who was known to many locals, and Mr Gunn over his beloved German Shepherd who rarely left his side. Mr Judd himself owns two German Shepherds and was often sighted around the area with the canines in tow, including on the evening Mr Gunn and Ms Georgopoulos were killed. According to the Herald Sun, Mr Gunn and Mr Judd may have been involved in an argument about the sale and ownership of other dogs. Friends of Mr Gunn told the Herald Sun: 'That's what spun me out when I heard about (the deaths), because he and his dog went everywhere together and Dragon wouldn't let anyone near him.' Expectant mother's heartbreaking final moments Hours before she was killed, Ms Georgopoulos, who was five months pregnant, had been on the phone to family and friends on Monday to reveal the gender of her baby. During the conversation, the 39-year-old told loved ones she was excited to be expecting a baby girl, the Herald Sun reports. Ms Georgopoulos and Mr Gunn had been together for around three years and were excited to welcome their miracle baby. 'She thought she would never be able to have children … because of her age,' Ms Georgopoulos' aunt, Patty Dilveridis Dilveridis, told publication. Ms Georgopoulos' mother, Petty has been left devastated by her daughter's death. Ms Georgopoulos had been her mother's primary carer, with Petty suffering from health issues. In a heartbreaking post on social media, Petty paid tribute to her daughter and future granddaughter, who was due in just four months. 'My dear, you left life so unfairly I can't yet believe that you were so happy on your last days,' she wrote in Greek on Facebook. 'We dreamt together about my grandchildren that would bring to your heart's desire and suddenly everything went out in one night, cutting the thread of your life and my grand daughter who would've been born in four months. 'Even if they separated us I will always love you forever, welcome my daughter to the life of the angels.' Neighbours shocked Half a dozen homes remained cordoned off on Adrienne Crescent in Mount Waverley on Wednesday morning as neighbours expressed their 'shock' at what had occurred. Dimmi, a woman who knew Ms Georgopoulos and her mother, said she was devastated to read about the news on Facebook. 'I came back and said to my husband, some murder happened here. On Monday when it happened, I went to bed around 12 o'clock and didn't hear anything,' Dimmi told She said Ms Georgopoulos kept to herself, so much so that she was not aware the pregnant mother was living a few doors down. 'I didn't even know she lives there. I'm Greek too, so I was so close to her mother, but didn't see her for about 10 months.' 'I've been here for 25 years, I walk along this street all the time but never saw her. 'I'm going to ring her mum, I'm in shock now. I don't know much about the girl who passed away, but I knew her when she was young. They used to come to my house all the time. 'She was a lovely girl. A very nice girl. I'm so, so sad.' Another neighbour, Mary, said she too had also never seen Ms Georgopoulos despite living several doors up the road. 'Everybody is shocked here. It's amazing that it's just happened so close. I've spoken to others in the street and they said they didn't hear anything.' A man walking his dogs on Adrienne Crescent on Wednesday morning said locals had reported some trouble from the apartment where the couple died. 'I've lived here for 30 years and we've never had problems.' Several officers remained at the scene as neighbours woke to letters in the mail from Victoria Police. 'Recently there was a serious incident in your local area,' the letter read. 'Monash Police are committed to community safety and in support we provide this letter to offer additional crime prevention assistance and reassurance. 'If you require any further assistance with welfare support services please don't hesitate to make contact.' Inside the tiny unit, officers allegedly found Mr Gunn's mutilated body next to the body of Ms Georgopoulos. The alleged motive remains unclear, though reports suggest drugs may have been a factor. Detectives said they are not seeking anyone else in relation to the killings and confirmed a weapon, although not a firearm, was used in the alleged murder. Graffiti was visible on the couple's home with one message reading 'Karma is not a menu' and references to veganism such as 'meat is murder'. Other phrases were also visible including 'betrayal, unpredictable, inevitable'. 'Police are aware of graffiti on the property in Mount Waverley where the bodies of two people were located last night,' a police spokesperson said. 'Homicide Squad detectives will work to determine if the graffiti is relevant to the murder investigation.' Speaking from the scene on Tuesday morning, Melbourne homicide squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said the man in custody was known to the pair. 'We believe that there is a link between our suspect and the address,' Inspector Thomas said. 'Police were called at about 9.20pm in relation to a welfare check at the address based on some yelling that was heard from the property. 'A second call was then made that suggested it was perhaps more urgent than what the first call was and police arrived minutes later, and obviously they found the male and female inside the premises deceased. 'We believe he (the suspect) may be of no fixed place of abode. 'It appears to be targeted and our suspect is known to the address.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
How kind-hearted locals tried to take care of man accused of gruesome double murder who allegedly killed a mum-to-be and beheaded her lover before going for a burger with his dogs
Just months before a homeless man allegedly killed a pregnant woman and decapitated her partner, he turned up at a stranger's door with one shoe on and begged for help. Ross Judd, 34, surprised the resident at a home in Oakleigh, in Melbourne 's south-east, when he asked the woman to care for his two dogs while he went into hospital last December. She said at the time that she thought the whole thing was 'very strange' and had contacted police before posting in a local Facebook group. Judd is accused of killing pregnant Athena Georgopoulos, 39, and decapitating her partner Andrew Gunn, 50, before placing his head on a spike at Gunn's home in Melbourne's Mount Waverley. However, her well-meaning post sparked a fierce online debate, with many defending Judd, saying he was deeply devoted to his dogs and needed their support. One woman said she even invited him in for a hot chocolate. 'His dogs are gentle and harmless,' she wrote. 'Is he still in the area? I will look after his dogs.' Others vowed to help in the lead up to Christmas by 'dropping supplies off for him', while a local dog groomer offered to wash and clip both German shepherds for free. 'The gentleman's name is Ross and he has been living rough for about a year and a half,' said one woman, in a now-deleted post. 'He has schizophrenia which is currently trying to be managed, he has a prescription to fill when he gets his payment on Thursday. 'I asked if perhaps we could go together and get it tomorrow instead but he didn't want to. 'He is working with the Salvos trying to find accommodation which is obviously difficult with the two dogs.' She said Judd got the dogs when he had a job and a home, and urged locals to 'be kind and supportive'. She suggested her neighbours should introduce themselves to him 'and have a cuddle with the dogs'. 'It will make them all feel seen,' she added. The bodies of Ms Georgopoulos and Mr Gunn were discovered by a neighbour at the home on Adrienne Crescent just before 10pm on Monday. Judd was arrested on in the early hours of Tuesday morning at Westall train station with his two German shepherds by his side. Just a few hours earlier, shortly after 11pm, diners claimed to have seen a man matching his description walk into a McDonald's on Dandenong Rd in Clayton with the dogs, who waited patiently at the door. Police are investigating if Judd and Mr Gunn had been involved in a dispute over the ownership and sale of the dogs in the lead up to the alleged murders. Friends of Mr Gunn said he was often seen with his own beloved German shepherd, Dragon. A neighbour of the couple, who claimed to have heard arguing and barking dogs on the night of the alleged murders, spoke out on Wednesday. 'No one should have to come across what I saw down there,' said Ben Scott-Sandvik, who lives at the front unit in the block where the alleged double murders took place. He told the Daily Mail: 'I'm doing ok, but I think Athena's family is doing a lot worse. 'Nobody needs to live knowing that this sort of thing has happened to their families.' Judd appeared at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, winking after he tripped as he walked to the dock. He then smiled throughout the brief filing hearing over the two counts of murder. The prosecution asked the court for a ten-week extension because 'it's a complex crime scene with significant amounts of DNA evidence'. The prosecutor also said autopsies were expected to be delayed, as alleged murder victim Ms Georgopoulos was five months pregnant when she died. Daily Mail has previously revealed Ms Georgopoulos was set to face a plea hearing at Ringwood Magistrates' Court on September 1 for car theft and burglary charges. The alleged killer's legal aid lawyer did not oppose the unusually lengthy period to serve the brief, but told the court it was her client's first time in custody. Judd also faces charges regarding previous allegations of making threats. The lawyer also said Judd needed to see the custody nurse for 'follow-up medication and physical health issues'. On Wednesday, Ms Georgopoulos' mother Petty paid tribute to her daughter. 'My little heart, you left life so unfairly that I still cannot believe it,' she said in the touching Facebook post. 'In recent days you were so happy - we made dreams together for our little granddaughter that you were going to bring into your life. 'And suddenly, everything was erased in one night, when an [alleged] murderer cut the thread of your life and of my little granddaughter's life that you were going to bring into the world in four months. 'No matter how much they separated us, I will never stop loving you. Forever. Until we meet again, my little girl, in the light of the angels.' Ms Georgopoulos worked as a customer service representative for several electricity and insurance companies, and had been Mr Gunn's partner for three years. The couple were found dead after police received calls from neighbours on Monday night about yelling coming from the property, and heavily armed police swarmed the Adrienne Crescent home at 9.55pm. Inside the small unit, officers allegedly found Mr Gunn's mutilated body next to the body of Ms Georgopoulos.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Cops reveal mystery ‘dog motive' in horror double murder after pregnant woman killed and husband's head put on spike
The suspect allegedly visited a McDonald's after the double murder BRUTAL ATTACK Cops reveal mystery 'dog motive' in horror double murder after pregnant woman killed and husband's head put on spike POLICE have revealed the mysterious double murder of a pregnant woman and her decapitated husband may have been related to a dispute over dogs. Athena Georgopoulos, 39, was found dead alongside her husband Andrew Gunn, 50, whose head is understood to have been stuck to a stick. 6 Athena Georgopoulos and Andrew Gunn may have been killed over a dog dispute, cops allege Credit: Supplied 6 Footage showed Ross Judd, being arrested about an hour after the bodies were found Credit: 9News Advertisement 6 Chilling graffiti was plastered over the home they were found in Credit: 7news Ross Judd, a 34-year-old homeless man, was arrested at Westall train station in Melbourne, Australia, and was later charged with two counts of murder. Working to establish a motive for the brutal killings, cops have now revealed that the ordeal may have been related to an argument about dogs. The alleged quarrel took place between Matthew, who owned a german shepherd, and Judd, who was found with two dogs of the same breed when he was arrested. Advertisement Matthew's dog was named Dragon, local neighbours reported. READ MORE world NEWS HORROR SCENE Neighbour finds decapitated head on SPIKE as pregnant woman & husband murdered One neighbour alleged they heared loud arguing and shouting as well as continuous barking from dogs coming from the victims' home - only an hour before their deaths. Judd was reportedly spotted with two dogs when he allegedly visited a McDonald's about an hour after the bodies were found. Athena was five months pregnant when she died and was expecting a baby girl. Advertisement The neighbour who made the harrowing discovery, Ben Scott-Sandvik, told the Herald Sun: "I mean, no one should have to come across what I saw down there." He added: "And nobody needs to live knowing that this sort of thing has happened to their families.' Cops dramatically swarmed the property the couple were in on Monday night after a neighbour heard screams and alerted police. Brit faces 20 years in jail as she pleads guilty to killing dad of two with e-scooter Suspected killer Judd appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday. A police prosecutor said: "It's a complex crime scene, a significant amount of DNA." Advertisement Grim footage of his arrest reportedly showed the suspect dressed in a blood-stained white T-shirt while being gripped by an officer. The man appears on his knees before he is pulled to his feet on the station platform as another officer points at the ground. Police allege the accused murderer was known to the couple, and that one of the victims lived in the unit. An alleged motive for remains unclear - but it has been speculated the case may be drug-related. 6 The suspect was with two German shepherd dogs when he was arrested (stock) Credit: Getty Advertisement 6 Athena was expecting a baby girl Credit: Facebook Chilling graffiti sprayed across the couple's home read: 'Karma is not a menu.' Vegan slogans like 'meat is murder' were also plastered across the property wall, alongside haunting words like 'betrayal", "unpredictable" and "inevitable'. The messy graffiti, which was sprayed in luminous yellow, green and black paint also included derogatory and aggressive phrases like "U R Gay" and "Enough is Enough". A police spokesperson said: 'Police are aware of graffiti on the property in Mount Waverley where the bodies of two people were located last night. Advertisement 'Homicide Squad detectives will work to determine if the graffiti is relevant to the murder investigation.' Local inspector Dean Thomas said the arrested man was known to the pair. He said on Tuesday morning: "We believe that there is a link between our suspect and the address." The officer added: "Police were called at about 9.20pm in relation to a welfare check at the address based on some yelling that was heard from the property. 'A second call was then made that suggested it was perhaps more urgent than what the first call was and police arrived minutes later, and obviously they found the male and female inside the premises deceased. Advertisement 'We believe he [the suspect] may be of no fixed place of abode. 'It appears to be targeted and our suspect is known to the address.' Judd is due to face court again on January 13, 2026. 6 Athena was five-months pregnant when she died Credit: Facebook
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Cops reveal mystery ‘dog motive' in horror double murder after pregnant woman killed and husband's head put on spike
POLICE have revealed the mysterious double murder of a pregnant woman and her decapitated husband may have been related to a dispute over dogs. Athena Georgopoulos, 39, was found dead alongside her husband Andrew Gunn, 50, whose head is understood to have been stuck to a stick. 6 6 Ross Judd, a 34-year-old homeless man, was arrested at Westall train station in Melbourne, Australia, and was later charged with two counts of murder. Working to establish a motive for the brutal killings, cops have now revealed that the ordeal may have been related to an argument about dogs. The alleged quarrel took place between Matthew, who owned a german shepherd, and Judd, who was found with two dogs of the same breed when he was arrested. Matthew's dog was named Dragon, local neighbours reported. One neighbour alleged they heared loud arguing and shouting as well as continuous barking from dogs coming from the victims' home - only an hour before their deaths. Judd was reportedly spotted with two dogs when he allegedly visited a McDonald's about an hour after the bodies were found. Athena was five months pregnant when she died and was expecting a baby girl. The neighbour who made the harrowing discovery, Ben Scott-Sandvik, told the Herald Sun: "I mean, no one should have to come across what I saw down there." He added: "And nobody needs to live knowing that this sort of thing has happened to their families.' Cops dramatically swarmed the property the couple were in on Monday night after a neighbour heard screams and alerted police. Brit faces 20 years in jail as she pleads guilty to killing dad of two with e-scooter Suspected killer Judd appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday. A police prosecutor said: "It's a complex crime scene, a significant amount of DNA." Grim footage of his arrest reportedly showed the suspect dressed in a blood-stained white T-shirt while being gripped by an officer. The man appears on his knees before he is pulled to his feet on the station platform as another officer points at the ground. Police allege the accused murderer was known to the couple, and that one of the victims lived in the unit. An alleged motive for remains unclear - but it has been speculated the case may be drug-related. 6 6 Chilling graffiti sprayed across the couple's home read: 'Karma is not a menu.' Vegan slogans like 'meat is murder' were also plastered across the property wall, alongside haunting words like 'betrayal", "unpredictable" and "inevitable'. The messy graffiti, which was sprayed in luminous yellow, green and black paint also included derogatory and aggressive phrases like "U R Gay" and "Enough is Enough". A police spokesperson said: 'Police are aware of graffiti on the property in Mount Waverley where the bodies of two people were located last night. 'Homicide Squad detectives will work to determine if the graffiti is relevant to the murder investigation.' Local inspector Dean Thomas said the arrested man was known to the pair. He said on Tuesday morning: "We believe that there is a link between our suspect and the address." The officer added: "Police were called at about 9.20pm in relation to a welfare check at the address based on some yelling that was heard from the property. 'A second call was then made that suggested it was perhaps more urgent than what the first call was and police arrived minutes later, and obviously they found the male and female inside the premises deceased. 'We believe he [the suspect] may be of no fixed place of abode. 'It appears to be targeted and our suspect is known to the address.' Judd is due to face court again on January 13, 2026.
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
Homeless lunatic accused of killing pregnant woman and her partner, whose decapitated head was found mounted on a spike
A deranged homeless man is accused of murdering a pregnant woman and savagely decapitating her partner – whose head was mounted on a spike – in a twisted attack inside their Australian home. Athena Georgopoulos, 39, and Andrew Gunn, 50, were found dead Monday night inside their Melbourne home, which was graffitied with the phrases 'Karma is not a menu,' 'betrayal' and 'Enough is Enough,' among others, in what police believe was a targeted killing, local outlets reported. Victoria police rushed to the grisly scene after a neighbor stumbled upon the horrifying sight and screamed, according to the Herald Sun. Athena Georgopoulos was five months pregnant when she was found dead in her Melbourne home. 'I mean, no one should have to come across what I saw down there,' Ben Scott-Sandvik said of finding the couple, who were excited to welcome their baby girl in four months. 'And nobody needs to live knowing that this sort of thing has happened to their families.' Ross Judd – a 34-year-old barefoot and bloodied homeless man – was located at a nearby train station with his two dogs and cuffed about four hours after the vicious slayings, according to 'It appears to be a targeted attack, our suspect is known to the address,' homicide detective Dean Thomas said, the BBC reported. 'It does not appear to be a random attack and we are not looking for anybody else.' Authorities believe the unstable suspect went to see the couple – whom he knew – when a fight erupted before he carried out the barbaric attack and fled with his canines. Her partner, Andrew Gunn, was also found dead, with his severed head mounted on a spike. Facebook/Athena Georgopoulos The nature of their relationship and the disturbing graffiti remains under investigation. Judd was charged with two counts of murder and thrown behind bars Wednesday following a hearing at Melbourne Magistrates' Court, the outlet reported. He is expected to be evaluated in jail and is due back in court in January. Georgopoulos' devastated aunt, Petty Dilveridis, was reportedly seen crying and sitting on a curb outside her niece's defaced home the night her slain body was discovered. 'She was so looking forward to having a baby,' she told The Herald Sun. 'Because she was 39, she never thought she could have one.'
