Daughter tells trial of missing camper's 14-year affair

Carol Clay's daughter became concerned her mother's affair with Russell Hill would be made public when police approached her about telling media they had gone missing together, a jury has been told. 

Mrs Clay, 73, and Mr Hill, 74, were camping together when they disappeared from Bucks Camp in Victoria's Wonnangatta Valley in March 2020.

Greg Lynn is accused of killing the couple, whose remains were later found in bushland near the Union Spur Track, near Dargo.

The 57-year-old man, who was a Jetstar captain at the time, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and is on trial at the Supreme Court in Melbourne.

Carol Clay (left) and Russell Hill (file image)
Carol Clay and Russell Hill were camping together when they disappeared in the Wonnangatta Valley.

Mr Hill and Mrs Clay were in a relationship for 14 years at the time of their deaths, the woman's daughter Emma Davies told the jury on Wednesday.

"They'd known each other from childhood, Russell was mum's first boyfriend," she said.

"She said it was a very caring and very loving relationship."

Police contacted Ms Davies on March 29, 2020, about nine days after the alleged murders, to ask if she knew whether her mother was.

"I said I didn't know," she told the jury.

The police officer asked for Ms Davies' consent to send out a missing person's report to the media about her mother's disappearance, the jury was told.

Ms Davies said she had privacy concerns about that because Mr Hill was married to another woman.

"Russell was married and so I was concerned about the media release going out and showing them camping together," she said.

Defence barrister Dermot Dann representing Greg Lynn
Dermot Dann said the two deaths were accidental and Lynn made "terrible choices" afterwards.

Mr Hill's friend of 30 years, Michael Allan, said he spoke to him over high frequency radio about 6pm on March 20, hours before it's alleged he and Mrs Clay were murdered.

"We just generally spoke about how lovely it was being in the Wonnangatta Valley and about the day’s activities," Mr Allan told the jury.

Mr Hill's demeanour was "quite normal, nothing seemed untoward", he said.

Prosecutors have claimed Lynn intentionally killed the couple and told the jury this would be proven beyond reasonable doubt due to his conduct after the alleged double murder.

But his barrister said the deaths were accidental and Lynn made "a series of terrible choices" after their deaths, including burning their bodies and campsite.

Dermot Dann KC on Tuesday said Lynn and Mr Hill got into an argument and the 74-year-old had threatened to show police footage of Lynn deer hunting close to the camp.

He alleged Mr Hill took a gun from Lynn's car and accidentally shot Mrs Clay in the head and then came at Lynn with a knife.

Lynn claimed he was trying to defend himself from the knife when it went into Mr Hill's chest, Mr Dann said.

"I haven't behaved well, I've made some poor decisions, but murder, as I understand it, I'm innocent of," Mr Dann said Lynn told police.

Greg Lynn (file image)
The prosecutor pointed to the conduct of Lynn after the deaths as evidence of murder.

However, prosecutor Daniel Porceddu put forward an alternative version of events.

He said Mr Hill was killed first and Mrs Clay's death happened after she had "witnessed or been aware of Mr Hill's violent death".

He pointed to Lynn's conduct after the deaths as evidence he committed murder, including not calling for help, contaminating the scene and concealing evidence.

Earlier on Wednesday, several campers who had met Mr Hill and Mrs Clay in the weeks before their deaths gave evidence.

Chris Benton, who met Mr Hill while he was camping alone at King Billy campsite on March 11, described a conversation with the 74-year-old about life after retirement.

"He did go on to say that retirement did 'f*** him up', he actually put his head down when he said that remark," he told the jury.

The trial continues on Thursday, with two weed sprayers and two more campers to take the witness stand.

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store