A Coroner has confirmed human remains found at a remote campsite are those of ‘secret lover’ missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.
Victoria Police announced the major breakthrough in the case that gripped Australia in a short statement released on Monday afternoon.
‘Victoria Police can confirm that forensic testing on human remains located near Dargo in November 2021 has now been completed,’ the statement read.
A Coroner has confirmed human remains found at a remote campsite are those of ‘secret lover’ missing campers Russell Hill (right) and Carol Clay (left)
Forensic experts made the grisly find off the Providence Spur Track north of Dargo in the state’s east within dense bushland often frequented by deer hunters (pictured)
‘The Coroner has advised Victoria Police that the remains are that of Russell Hill and Carol Clay. As the matter is before the court, we will not be providing any further comment.
‘We will not be providing a spokesperson or facilitating any further interviews at this time.’
It comes after Jetstar pilot Gregory Lynn, 55, was arrested in November and charged with the couple’s murders, some 20 months after they vanished from a rural campsite while on a secret rendezvous in March 2020.
Forensic experts made the grisly find off the Providence Spur Track north of Dargo in the state’s east within dense bushland often frequented by deer hunters.
Footage of the search showed plain clothes officers sifting through dirt by hand as an excavator worked ahead turning the soil over and digging up the packed ground.
Mr Hill and Ms Clay were last heard from on March 20, 2020 when Mr Hill, an experienced outdoorsman, made a call via high-frequency radio saying he was at Wonnangatta Valley
Jetstar pilot Gregory Lynn, 55, (pictured) was arrested in November and charged with the couple’s murders, some 20 months after they vanished from a rural campsite
Lynn (pictured) was arrested and his Nissan Patrol seized in remote bushland on November 22
It is understood the remains were found not far below the surface after four days of extensive searching in the rugged bushland.
The breakthrough came just a few days after Lynn was arrested and his Nissan Patrol seized in dense scrub on November 22.
The Caroline Springs man was stood down from his job as a pilot on the same day.
Lynn allegedly murdered the slain campers on the day they arrived at the Wonnangatta Valley in the Victorian Alps.
Mr Hill and Ms Clay had travelled to the high country, more than 200km northeast of Melbourne, for a trip away – having spent decades engaged in a secret affair.
The elderly campers were last heard from on March 20, 2020 when Mr Hill, an experienced outdoorsman, made a call via high-frequency radio saying he was at Wonnangatta Valley.
Campers found Mr Hill’s car destroyed by fire at their campsite near Dry River Creek Track the following day.
Lynn’s mid-1990s model Nissan Patrol (pictured) has been central to the investigation after it was pictured close to where the pair were last seen
For 20 months police have been investigating what happened to the two missing campers
Campers found Mr Hill’s car destroyed by fire at their campsite near Dry River Creek Track the following day (pictured)
Forensic confirmation of the human remains will finally bring a sense of closure to the campers’ families after almost two years of frustrating mystery.
Since they vanished, rumours have swirled about who may have been involved, including suggestions the couple may have been attacked by nefarious hunters, an ‘oddball loner’ called ‘Button Man’, or even a murder stalking the area.
Detectives had been on the lookout for a dark blue Nissan Patrol, but it’s understood Lynn had painted his own car gold after the campers vanished.
In his first court appearance, Lynn’s lawyer Chris McLennan did not make any application for bail on behalf of the alleged killer, who was remanded in custody by Magistrate Greg McNamara until his next court appearance.
He faces life in prison should he be convicted of double murder and is due to return to court in Sale for a committal mention on May 31.
Forensic confirmation of the human remains will finally bring a sense of closure to the campers’ families after almost two years of frustrating mystery
Lynn (pictured) faces life in prison should he be convicted of double murder and is due to return to court in Sale for a committal mention on May 31
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