First wife of missing campers suspect was found dead outside their home

The death of the former wife of high country murders suspect Gregory Lynn was investigated by the coroner.

The former wife of high country murders accused Gregory Lynn had died in tragic circumstances years earlier.

The Herald Sun understands Lisa Lynn’s death came outside the home she shared with her pilot husband in suburban Melbourne about 20 years ago.

Her death, believed to have been sudden, was the subject of a Coroner’s inquest.

Mr Lynn’s neighbours in Caroline Springs, where he currently lives, said this week that they were aware of his late wife’s death.

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Aviation forums were on Wednesday abuzz with comments from shocked current and former colleagues of Mr Lynn.

One described him as a loner and others portrayed a man who had some strained workplace relationships.

It emerged on Wednesday police had spoken to Mr Lynn, a Jetstar pilot, last year over the suspected murders of Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73.

Lisa Lynn, the former wife of Greg Lynn, died suddenly.

The 55-year-old is believed to have been asked early in the inquiry about his presence in the vicinity of the Wonnangatta Valley.

Detectives from the missing persons squad had become aware he had been in the area about March 20, 2020 when Mr Hill and Ms Clay mysteriously disappeared.

He was spoken to by detectives and is believed to have told them he did not see the elderly pair.

The Caroline Springs dad was among hundreds of people contacted as part of one of the state’s biggest missing persons investigations.

He is believed to have been under close scrutiny for months before being arrested on Monday while camping in East Gippsland, south of Wonnangatta.

Mr Lynn, was on Thursday charged with two counts of murder after being grabbed by the special operations group in a dramatic swoop.

The SOG is frequently used for high-risk arrests of suspects.

Greg Lynn with his current wife Melanie.

A campsite near Arbuckle junction where Greg Lynn was captured by police. Picture: Nine News

Mr Lynn – who had a significant collection of rifles and shotguns – was a long-term member of the Melbourne International Shooting Club, which has headquarters in Port Melbourne.

One source told the Herald Sun he was an enthusiastic member who enjoyed recreational shooting and looked forward to his visits to the club.

It is not known whether he was armed at the time of being detained.

A student group saw and heard two helicopters bring the SOG officers into a school camp near the remote arrest scene.

They said they were told by police that it was a drill.

“They all felt a little overwhelmed and very confused as to what was going on,” one parent said.

“They were told it was a training session. Mind you, these are 14 and 15-year-olds, so they knew something was going down.”

The SOG officers then made their way by road to Doolans Plain where they arrested Mr Lynn without incident.

Greg Lynn's blue Nissan Patrol in July 2019. Picture: Google Images

Greg Lynn’s repainted Nissan Patrol in June 2021. Picture: Nine News

It is believed concerns for his welfare had led to the arrest phase being brought forward at short notice.

There had been indications the investigation was gathering momentum in recent weeks but it was expected any move would be made later.

Mr Hill, of Drouin, and Mrs Clay, of Pakenham, arrived in the Wonnangatta Valley for a camping trip on March 20 last year.

Their last known contact was that evening when Mr Hill told a mate via amateur radio that he was setting up before the sun went down.

Police are investigating whether there was a confrontation with someone else at the scene in which the friends were attacked.