Police Release Updated Image of Fugitive in 1974 Melbourne Rape Case
Australian police have renewed their appeal for information on George Karakis, a man who has been on the run for more than 50 years after allegedly raping a woman in her Melbourne home.
The crime occurred in the early hours of July 22, 1974, when a 30-year-old woman was asleep in her Fitzroy home and awoke to find a stranger in her bedroom. Police allege Karakis raped the woman before fleeing.
Just over a week later, the then-27-year-old was arrested and charged with rape, burglary, and indecent assault. Karakis’ wife paid his $1,000 bail, but he failed to appear in court on October 9, 1974, and has been on the run ever since.
Police came close to catching him in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in 1990, but he fled before a warrant could be executed. Despite repeated public appeals over the decades, Karakis has evaded capture.
Today, Victoria Police released both his original mugshot and a digitally-generated image of what he might look like now in a fresh push for leads.
Yarra Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Ruby Roberts said the case has deeply affected the now 80-year-old victim.
“This crime changed her life forever, and 50 years is a long time to live without the justice we would so dearly like to give her,” Roberts said.
Karakis was born in Turkey, speaks Greek, and at the time of the offense lived in Gore Street, Fitzroy, with his wife, sister, and brother-in-law. He was described as 162 cm tall, with brown eyes, dark hair, and a 2 cm scar over his left eyebrow.
Police say there is a possibility he may have died, but they remain committed to finding answers. They are urging anyone with even the smallest piece of information to contact Crime Stoppers, stressing that it could provide the breakthrough needed to close the case and deliver long-awaited justice.
