The Melbourne Greek Australian community is reeling after the violent deaths of 39-year-old Athena Georgopoulos, who was five months pregnant, and her partner Andrew Gunn, 50, in what police allege was a targeted attack at their Mount Waverley home.
Athena, the daughter of Greek immigrants, had recently found new joy in expecting her first child, a girl she never thought she could have.
“She was so happy,” her aunt, Patty Dilveridis, said.
“She was 39 and never thought she could have a baby. She was so looking forward to it.”
Her mother, Petty Georgopoulos, who was supported by Athena through years of health struggles, is devastated.
“She helped me so much,” Petty said, holding back tears.
“These last days you were so happy. We dreamt together about our granddaughter … and suddenly all was extinguished in one night.”
Police were called to the couple’s Adrienne Crescent home just before 10pm on Monday following reports of yelling.
Inside, they discovered both Athena and Andrew dead.
A 34-year-old homeless man, Ross Judd, was arrested hours later at Westall Railway Station and has since been charged with two counts of murder.
The man, who is of no fixed address, was interviewed on Monday and has since been charged with two counts of murder.
The unit where the altercation occurred was covered in graffiti, including the words “karma”, “betrayal” and “enough is enough”.
Victoria Police said detectives were investigating whether the graffiti was relevant to the deaths.
Neighbours described the pair as peaceful and polite people who never caused any issues.
Nader Youssef, who lives down the street from the pair, was turned away by police that night and only allowed back home the next day.
“My brother said he heard screams and shouting,” Youssef told reporters on Wednesday adding that the “alarming” incident hit close to home and was the first conflict on the street where he had lived for more than a decade.
“I was shocked that it happened on my street. I thought it was just old retirees around here,” he said.
While he didn’t know the pair well, Youssef said they occasionally exchanged pleasantries.
“They’re very nice, very quiet people, which shocks me even more,” he said.
Another neighbour, Bob, who lived next door for decades, recalled being woken twice by Andrew’s dog barking, unusual enough to disturb his sleep before seeing police lights flood the street.
Judd appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday wearing a black T-shirt, sporting a short black beard and a mohawk-style hair cut.
Judd faced requests from police for a 10-week extension to process the “complex” crime scene, which includes multiple autopsies and extensive DNA analysis.
One autopsy, prosecutors confirmed, was delayed due to Athena’s pregnancy.
Judd’s defence lawyer Annie Allan said it was the 34-year-old’s first time in custody and requested he see a prison nurse to follow up on medication.
The accused stared straight ahead throughout the hearing and responded “yeah, I do” when magistrate Johanna Metcalf outlined his next court appearance details and asked if he understood.
He smiled when Ms Metcalf granted a media application to access his charges but refused other materials.
The tragedy has shaken not only the Mount Waverley neighbourhood but also the wider Greek Australian community, where Athena was remembered as determined, loving, and deeply connected to her family and heritage.
Judd is due to return to court via video link on January 13, 2026, as homicide detectives continue their investigation.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
