Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro believes missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay met with foul play

A leading criminal psychologist who has gained the trust of some of Australia’s scariest minds has weighed in on the baffling missing campers case.

A leading criminal psychologist believes missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay “met with foul play” and the latest discovery of two shovels is “enough” evidence for police to make their biggest breakthrough yet.

The pair haven’t been heard from since March 20 when Mr Hill radioed in stating he was at Wonnangatta Valley in the Victorian Alps.

They were last known to be camping off the Dry River Track.

The investigation deepened on Wednesday as police moved their search 80km northwest to the Mount Hotham area, marking the first time the search had strayed from Wonnangatta.

Carol Clay and Russell Hill haven’t been heard from since March 20.

Two shovels were then found in dense bush off Great Alpine Road during the search just after midday – police put them into plastic evidence bags.

But the search of the new area was abruptly paused on Thursday, with police confirming search and rescue teams would not return until forensic results came back.

Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro – who has gained the trust of some of Australia’s scariest men, such as Julian Knight and Alphonse Gangitano, in his line of work – expects the story to “unfold more rapidly” from hereon.

“This recent discovery suggests to me that police forensically have enough to start interviewing people,” he said.

“What forensic evidence is it, why has the search stopped now? Maybe there is DNA evidence on the shovels that links to someone police suspect already.”

Criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro started his career at the notorious Paramatta Prison and believes the missing campers met with foul play. Picture: Tim Pascoe

Mr Hill left his Drouin home on March 19 before collecting Ms Clay from her home in Pakenham in his white Toyota LandCruiser.

The friends then travelled via Licola, spending one night at Howitt High Plains, before heading into Wonnangatta Valley on March 20.

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

Campers found Mr Hill’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 on March 21.

Campers found Mr Hill’s vehicle with signs of minor fire damage at their campsite, which was completely destroyed by fire on March 21. Picture: ABC

Mr Watson-Munro – who started his career at the notorious Paramatta Prison – had a bleak prediction of what happened to the believed-to-be high school sweethearts.

“I think they’ve met with foul play,” he said.

“It’s highly unlikely it was a bizarre, ritualistic suicide because they loved each other based on reports.

“The destruction of the campsite was obviously an attempt to destroy forensic evidence or throw police off the scent.

“They’re both reasonably well-adjusted people, healthy … my gut reaction is a domestic dynamic where possibly a third party was involved.”

Missing persons squad detectives scour dense bushland in the Mount Hotham area. Picture: Jason Edwards

Mr Watson-Munro said if that third party was somebody with expert knowledge of the dense bushland, then it could mean Mr Hill and Ms Clay would “never be found”.

“Some people just disappear forever, tragically so,” he said.

“If it is a deliberate targeted killing they may well be buried or deposited in something that may not be discovered in a long time.

“The density makes it difficult to be found, but anyone with a knowledge of the forest adds another layer to this – they would know where there are secret cabins and caves.

“It could only be purely by chance that someone is strolling through the forest one day and makes a discovery.”

Two shovels were found in dense bush off Great Alpine Road and put into plastic evidence bags. Picture: Jason Edwards

Missing persons squad Detective Acting Inspector Tony Combridge said on Wednesday investigators believed “someone else was involved” in the baffling disappearance that has attracted widespread interest.

“I don’t think anything’s off the table, but we look at what’s in front of us, and the likely scenario is that somebody else is involved,” he told reporters.

“We could be one phone call away. That’s the position we hold … from this matter being resolved.”

In a statement Victoria Police said: “Investigators are continuing to appeal to anyone who was in the Wonnangatta area around that time, including campers, 4x4 day trippers, hunters, fishermen or trail bike riders, regardless of whether they saw or heard anything.

“Detectives are also 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 20-24 March. Anyone who has not yet made contact with police is urged to come forward.”

An aerial view of where Russell Hill and Carol Clay were believed to be camping.

Detectives also established Mr Hill was camping alone with his LandCruiser in the area of the King Billy and Bluff Track between March 11-13, last year.

Police were also keen to speak to anyone who was in that area on those dates.

Information was later received about the sighting of “an older person or pair” in the Black Snake Creek, Eaglevale River crossing and the Ollies Jump area on March 22-23 – but police have not been able to establish if this was the missing campers.

Detectives called for anyone in this area, or any older couple who may be these people, to also come forward.

Anyone who sights Mr Hill or Ms Clay should phone triple-0 immediately.

Anyone with any other information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro believes missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay met with foul play