Russell Hill and Carol Clay’s secret love affair revealed

“Childhood sweethearts” Russell Hill and Carol Clay would escape to the country in a bid to keep their 15-year love affair a secret.

Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn is accused of murdering Russell Hill and Carol Clay. Picture: Facebook

Russell Hill and Carol Clay were childhood sweethearts.

But they drifted apart with both marrying and having children with other partners.

Decades later they found each other and rekindled their romance about 15 years before their disappearance.

They would escape to the country to keep their relationship hidden from Mr Hill’s family, including his wife of 51 years.

“They enjoyed the solace of camping and went on regular trips so they could spend time together,” a police summary states.

Mr Hill would tell his wife he was camping alone and she would listen out for his radio broadcasts every night to know he was safe.

Russell Hill.

Carol Clay.

Described as a loyal friend and a family-oriented man, Mr Hill lived a quiet life and he enjoyed gardening.

The retired logging contractor was a member of the East Gippsland Amateur Radio Group.

Ms Clay was described as someone who led a “selfless” life.

She was once the National President of the Country Women’s Association and she helped write the organisation’s annual cookbooks.

On March 19, 2020, Mr Hill, 75, and Ms Clay, 73, would embark on their final outing together to the Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria’s High Country.

Mr Hill knew the area well as his work had seen him involved in the cutting of the Zeka Spur track that led into the valley.

The damaged campsite belonging to Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

He packed up his LandCruiser and told his wife he would be away for a week.

He drove to Ms Clay’s home and picked her up from her Pakenham home.

On their journey, Ms Clay spoke to a friend on the phone, who later told police she sounded “excited to be on the road”.

Mr Hill could be heard in the background.

The next day the lovers would be dead, allegedly at the hands of former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn.

The new details of the couple’s relationship can be revealed for the first time after a police summary of alleged facts was released to the media.

Originally published as Russell Hill and Carol Clay’s secret love affair revealed