From a secret camping trip to a double murder charge: A full timeline of the baffling disappearance of Carol Clay and Russell Hill
- Timeline of events of the disappearance of Carol Clay and Russell Hill
- Elderly couple disappeared while camping in Victorian Alps in March last year
- A 20-month investigation led police to 55-year-old Jetstar pilot Gregory Lynn
- Lynn was arrested on Monday and has been charged with their murders
The mystery surrounding the disappearances of lovers Carol Clay and Russell Hill is swiftly moving toward its conclusion after a Jetstar pilot was charged with their murder.
The pair vanished after going on a secret camping trip in the Victorian Alps in March last year in a case that baffled investigators and the public alike.
However, after an exhaustive 20-month search, police have zeroed in on pilot Gregory Lynn, 55, who on Thursday was charged with the murder of the elderly couple.
Police say they are ‘hopeful’ of locating the bodies of the beloved grandparents with a second crime scene established, as the case that gripped Australia comes to its tragic end.
Here’s a full timeline of the mystery which has baffled the country for 20 months.
Keen camper and dad Gregory Lynn, 55, (pictured) has been in custody since Monday and will face court on Friday morning
Carol Clay (left) and Russell Hill (right) went missing while camping in the Victorian Alps in March last year. The pair have not been heard from since
TIMELINE OF MISSING VICTORIAN CAMPERS CASE
March 19, 2020: Russell Hill, 74, leaves his Drouin home and picks up Carol Clay, 73, from her Pakenham home
March 20, 2020: Mr Hill makes a call via high frequency radio saying he was at Wonnangatta Valley in the Victorian Alps. It is the last time anyone hears from either of the pair
March 21, 2020: Campers find Mr Hill’s fire-damaged Toyota Landcruiser at their campsite near Dry River Creek Track
Mr Hill’s white Toyota Landcruiser (pictured) was found with minor fire damage at their burnt campsite near Dry River Creek Track in the valley on March 21
Russell Hill (pictured, left) and Carol Clay (right) are alleged by police to have been murdered during a camping trip
March 26, 2020: When Mr Hill planned to leave the region
March 28 to 29, 2020: When Ms Clay told friends she expected to return
March 30, 2020: Police make public appeal for information amid search
April 6, 2020: Initial search called off
March 5, 2021: Police appeal for information about ‘mystery vehicle’, described as a ‘white dual cab ute’ seen in the area
The mid-1990s model Nissan Patrol (pictured) is now central to the investigation after it was pictured close to where the pair were last seen
Lynn has been in police custody for three days after being arrested in dramatic scenes where helicopters swooped on him at a remote campground. He has since been charged with the couple’s murder
March 9, 2021: Drone handed into police ruled out as Mr Hill’s
April 4, 2021: Cadaver dogs join search at Wonnangatta Valley
April 14, 2021: Two shovels found near the Great Alpine Rd at Mount Hotham, about 100km drive from where the campers went missing
November 8, 2021: Image released of blue four-wheel drive seen in the area
November 22, 2021: Police arrest 55-year-old man from Caroline Springs
November 25, 2021: The 55-year-old man is charged with two counts of murder
The pilot was charged with two counts of murder on Thursday night after an exhaustive investigation
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk