By Shelby Brooks
The Gazette has put together a timeline of what we know has unfolded in the last 20 months since Carol Clay and Russell Hill disappeared.
11-13 March 2020: Police have established that Russell was camping alone with his Landcruiser in the area of the King Billy and Bluff Track between these dates.
19 March 2020: Russell left his Drouin home and collected Carol from her home in Pakenham in his white Toyota Landcruiser. They spend the night at Howitt High Plains.
20 March 2020: Russell and Carol enter the Wonangatta Valley. Russell was last heard from on via HF radio stating he was at Wonnangatta Valley in the Victorian Alps at 6.30pm.
21 March 2020: Other campers find Russell’s vehicle with signs of minor fire damage at their campsite, which was completely destroyed by fire, near Dry River Creek Track in the Wonnangatta Valley.
26 March 2020: The search begins for Russell and Carol.
28-29 March 2020: Carol told friends she was expected to return either of these two dates.
6 April 2020: The search is called off.
14-15 April 2020: A renewed two day search commences within the previous search area but concentrated on the more rugged terrain in the region.
17 March 2021: Police say cadaver dogs have been used .
6 April 2021: More cadaver dogs are brought in.
14 April 2021: Two shovels are located in Mount Hotham during another search.
14 November 2021: Police appeal for information about a blue ‘GU’ model Nissan Patrol five-door wagon that was spotted in the area at the time of the disappearance.
23 November 2021: 55-year-old Caroline Springs man was arrested in relation to the disappearance.
