Man accused of allegedly murdering campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill fronts court as new evidence revealed

The man who has been accused of allegedly murdering Victorian campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill has appeared for a second time before Sale Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August, 24.

Russell Hill and Carol Clay were last heard from on March 20, 2020 when they were camping in the Wonnangatta Valley. The couple’s campsite was discovered by campers on March 21 allegedly destroyed by fire near Dry River Creek Track, Hill’s vehicle was allegedly found with signs of minor fire damage.

Gregg Lynn, 55 who appeared via video link from Melbourne Assessment Prison wearing a suit and tie was arrested in relation to the camper’s disappearance on November 21, 2021 and was later charged with two counts of murder after he was questioned for several days by police.

Police located the remains of the pair in Victoria’s bushland in November 2021 after an extensive search.

We have located human remains in bushland near Dargo as part of our ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

The remains are yet to be formally identified and it is expected this process will take some time.

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— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) November 30, 2021

Following forensic testing, Victoria Police later confirmed the remains belonged to the missing campers.

“Victoria Police can confirm that forensic testing on human remains located near Dargo in November 2021 has now been completed,” a police statement revealed at the time.

“The Coroner has advised Victoria Police that the remains are that of Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

During Tuesday’s mention hearing, prosecutor Olivia Sparrow indicated that further searches of bushland where Hill and Clay’s bodies were allegedly found are to be carried out.

“There may be a further search to be completed at Wonnangatta and Mount Hotham,” Sparrow said.

Sparrow also told the court that covert surveillance, carried out by investigators, of Lynn’s car and home are yet to be submitted by police.

The defender for the accused, Dermot Dann QC, told the court that they had not been given access to such material evidence and that his client was still unable to access the material.

“We don’t actually have any of the recordings or transcripts,” Dann said.

“If it’s relied upon, I’m not sure why it’s not provided to us.”

Lynn had previously appeared before the court on Tuesday, May 31 where his defence lawyer first flagged that the police exhibits provided to the defence were in digital form and could not be accessed by Lynn.

Lynn didn’t make an application for bail and will return to court in January 2023.