In late March 2020, a group arranged to meet in the Wonnangatta Valley, including Russell Hill who pledged to join them. However, when he failed to show up between March 21 and 23, his friend Ashlin called Hill’s wife, Robyn, to inquire about his whereabouts. During this phone call, Ashlin learned about the extent of Hill’s relationship with Carol Clay, whom he had met years before. It was revealed that Hill and Clay had been childhood sweethearts who later married other people. Clay had left her second husband to be with Hill, but Ashlin suggested contacting the police about his disappearance.
Airline pilot Gregory Lynn, 57, is on trial after pleading not guilty to murdering Clay and Hill on March 20, 2020. Lynn’s legal team maintains that the couple died accidentally, while the prosecution alleges that Lynn killed them with murderous intent. Hill’s Toyota Landcruiser and the burnt campsite at Bucks Camp were discovered, leading to the revelation of Hill and Clay’s burnt remains in the remote Union Spur Track near Dargo. As the trial unfolds, the court hears testimonies from those who knew Hill and Clay, shedding light on their relationship and the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.
Retired electronics engineer James Patrick Francis revealed that he had met Hill through amateur radio and went on a camping trip with him to Timbarra in East Gippsland. Francis shared that Hill had a deep love for the Wonnangatta Valley and had helped build the Zeka Spur Track with a bulldozer as part of his job. Despite being a secretive man, Hill enjoyed sharing stories of the valley with others. Through conversations around campfires, it was revealed that Hill and Clay had met as teenagers and had a romantic relationship, drifting apart before later rekindling their connection as adults.
The court heard about Hill’s younger years, his fondness for the Wonnangatta Valley, and his passion for sharing stories about the area with others. Despite his secretive nature, Hill was described as being at ease and happy in the valley, eager to share it with anyone interested. The podcast “The Missing Campers Trial” from 9News, The Age, and 9Podcasts is following the court case in real-time as it unfolds. Presented by reporters Penelope Liersch and Erin Pearson, the podcast provides listeners with updates and insights into the trial surrounding the disappearance and deaths of Russell Hill and Carol Clay, shedding light on their relationship and the events leading up to their tragic end. The trial continues as more evidence and testimonies are presented to the jury, aiming to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance and deaths of the two campers.
