Athena was five months pregnant when she was killed. She never got to live the life she always wanted

At 39 years old and five months pregnant, Athena Georgopoulos was on the precipice of a life she never thought she would have.

As the daughter of Greek immigrants who grew up in Melbourne, she spent her life surrounded by a big, loving family, and countless friends. Her parents separated when she was young, and she lived with her father and then her mother, Petty Georgopoulos.

Athena was always there for her mother as she battled health issues.

“She helped me so much,” Petty says now, sobbing over the phone.

Athena’s aunty, Patty Dilveridis, adds: “Recently, we found out she was pregnant, and she was so happy. I spoke to her the other night at Petty’s house. She was so looking forward to having a baby, because she was 39 [and] she never thought she could have one.”

Her family’s joy turned to anguish when Athena was found dead alongside her 50-year-old partner Andrew Gunn at their home in Melbourne’s south-east on Monday night, after what police believe was a targeted and violent attack.

Officers were called to the home on Adrienne Crescent in Mount Waverley shortly before 10pm, where they found Athena and Andrew dead inside.

Police arrested a 34-year-old homeless man after finding the couple, and on Tuesday evening he was charged with two counts of murder. The man will appear before the Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

“We are still establishing the connection between the two deceased and their connection to the man in custody,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

Athena and Andrew were together for several years. Her mother described her daughter’s partner as a caring man who loved her daughter. Athena recently met Andrew’s parents after finding out she was pregnant, Petty says.

On Tuesday night, hours after the discovery, Athena’s mother and Patty were together at Petty’s home.

Petty remembered her beloved daughter as an animal lover, who was determined and motivated through her years working as a consultant in the energy field. She decided to take some time off work when she found out she was pregnant.

“She had her own issues, but she never used to put them onto other people,” Patty said. “She’s going to be very sadly missed.”

Athena was “always very happy” – and there for her mum without fail. She was excited to be a mother herself.

“It was a little girl,” Patty said.

Detectives have urged anyone with information about the couple’s death to contact Crime Stoppers.

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