Verdict reached in the murder trial of Greg Lynn

After a lengthy investigation and trial, former airline pilot Greg Lynn has been found guilty of the murder of Carol Clay, bringing an end to the long-running case.

While the jury of 12 found Lynn guilty of Clay’s murder, the 57-year-old was found not guilty of the killing of Russell Hill with the jury delivering a split verdict.

Hill and 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 found with signs of minor fire damage.

Lynn 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.

He faced a five-week trial in the Supreme Court where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder over the deaths of Hill and Clay.

Lynn maintained during the trial that the two deaths were accidental and admitted to burning the crime scene and destroying their bodies. During the trial, Lynn shared his version of events, describing a “horrendous” scene after a struggle allegedly ensued over a shotgun that he claims led to the death of two missing campers.

Lynn described the struggle with a gun that allegedly took place with Hill before a discharge of the weapon struck Clay.

“At the time of the discharge, I was struggling with Russell Hill for control of the shotgun,” he told the court.

“I was aware of her (Mrs Clay), she was over there … She would have had to be crouching or kneeling.

“Russel Hill had his back towards the bull bar (of the vehicle) and I was pushing him against the bull bar.”

It was then that the gun allegedly discharged and “went through” the side mirror of the vehicle before striking Clay.

Lynn stated that he was attempting to retrieve the gun from Hill, who he claimed had taken it from his vehicle. The firearm was one of two that Lynn had brought for deer hunting that weekend.

“I don’t know if he intended to shoot me, probably not, I think he was trying to keep the shotgun for himself and scare me off,” Lynn told the court.

The court heard that Lynn had told police that Hill allegedly later approached him with a knife which resulted in another struggle that allegedly led to Hill’s death.

“There was a large pool of blood on the ground,” Lynn said.

“The scene was horrendous.”

Despite Lynn’s version of events, prosecutors argued that he killed both of the campers intentionally and then attempted to cover up his crimes.

The twelve jurors began deliberating on their verdict on June 17, returning to the court on Tuesday, June 25 with their final decision.

When asked for a verdict on Hill’s murder, the jury’s foreperson told the court “not guilty”. Regarding the murder of Clay, the foreperson replied “guilty”.

Lynn will be returned to prison to await sentencing.