Missing campers: police reveal new details

Pakenham CWA president Carol Clay has been missing for over two months.

By Jessica Anstice

Police investigating the mysterious disappearance of Pakenham woman Carol Clay and her camping partner Russell Hill have released new information regarding their investigation.

The 73-year-old Country Women’s Association Pakenham branch president and the 74-year-old Drouin man have been missing for more than two months.

On 21 March, campers found Mr Hill’s vehicle with signs of minor fire damage at their campsite in Wonnangatta Valley, Victoria’s high country.

Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad have now established that Mr Hill was camping alone in the high country in the area of the King Billy and Bluff Track between 11 and 13 March – about two weeks before the pair’s camping trip.

He was driving his white Toyota Landcruiser and had his drone with him at the time.

Police are hoping to speak to anyone who was in the area at that time, including campers, 4×4 day trippers, hunters, fishermen or trail bike riders, regardless of whether they saw or heard anything so that police can eliminate people and vehicles from their extensive investigation.

The last time anyone heard from the pair was via HF radio on 20 March, where Mr Hill stated he was at Wonnangatta Station in the Victorian Alps before advising he was having radio transmission issues.

Ms Clay told her friends she was heading away and was expecting to return home on 28 or 29 March.

Police have been made aware of three further sightings of an older person or pair, however they have been unable to establish if they were Ms Clay and/or Mr Hill.

One sighting was at Black Snake Creek on 22 March of an older lady at the long drop toilet who was waiting for other campers to finish so she could use it.

Another was of an older couple driving out from Black Snake Creek Hut on 22 March where the woman was wearing lipstick and looked out of place.

The final sighting was also on 22 March, of an older couple near the Eaglevale River crossing and campsite. 

Police would like to speak with anyone who was in those areas on that date in the hope they can determine whether the couple was Ms Clay and Mr Hill.

Drouin man Russell Hill went missing with Carol Clay in Victoria”s high country over two months ago.

There are now several specific timeframes and locations of interest to police.

Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area of Howitt Plains and Zeka Spur Track on 19 or 20 March, and the Wonnangatta Valley and Wonnangatta Station between 20 and 24 March.

Mr Hill left his Drouin home on 19 March and planned to visit various campsites along the Dargo River with his route exiting the region at Dargo on 26 March.

Police believe the pair have travelled up through Heyfield and Licola, then into the valley in Mr Hill’s vehicle, the white Toyota Landcruiser.

Investigators have been told that Mr Hill purchased a DJI Mavic drone before going camping and the drone is still yet to be recovered.

The examination of the fire scene by arson chemists at their pair’s campsite was inconclusive and police would still like to speak to anyone who saw this fire or the smoke from it.

They are also keen to speak to anyone who may have smelled what has been described as a burning plastic smell in the area on 20 or 21 March.

A number of public appeals for information have been made and investigators would like to thank those who have come forward and spoken to police.

Despite a number of searches over the past two months, the pair have not been located and have not contacted family or friends.

It is still yet to be determined whether their disappearance is suspicious.

Anyone who sights Ms Clay and Mr Hill is urged to contact triple zero (000) immediately.

Anyone with any other information regarding their disappearance or who has any CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www.crimestoppersvic.com.au