Greg Lynn to stand trial for murder of missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay

Accused high country killer Greg Lynn has been committed to stand trial after a magistrate found “there is sufficient weight to support a conviction”.

Accused high country killer Greg Lynn will stand trial for the murder of missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

Magistrate Brett Sonnet on Wednesday committed the former Jetstar pilot, 56, to the Victorian Supreme Court for trial following a four-day hearing to test the evidence against him.

“I’ve considered the totality of the evidence in the hand-up brief and the evidence heard during this committal proceeding,” Mr Sonnet told Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

“I’m satisfied in respect of both charge one and two that there is sufficient weight to support a conviction.”

Greg Lynn is accused of killing campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill.

Wearing a black suit and grey tie, Mr Lynn stood as he entered his plea to the murders of Mr Russell, 74, and Ms Clay, 73, in the Wonnangatta Valley in March 2020.

“Not guilty your honour,” he said to each charge.

Detective Acting Sergeant Brett Florence earlier told the court the only part of the investigation yet to be finalised was a further search of an area around Mount Hotham, near where the couple vanished.

“It hasn’t been completed due to the weather situation over the last six to eight months,” he said.

“That’s the only investigation aspect that I know that needs completing.”

Ex-pilot Greg Lynn has entered a plea of not guilty. Picture: Supplied

Acting Sergeant Florence said investigators were concerned about Mr Lynn’s mental health on the morning of his arrest, but he was not mentally assessed following his transfer to Sale Police Station.

In court documents released earlier this week, another detective said he believed Mr Lynn would take his own life as he left for a camping trip to Gippsland in November 2021.

Acting Sergeant Florence said Mr Lynn was considered a “person of interest” because his vehicle was captured by number-plate recognition cameras near the alpine resort at the same time Mr Hill’s mobile sent a “ping” to a phone tower.

In court documents released on Wednesday afternoon, Acting Sergeant Florence revealed police spoke with a mysterious figure known as “button-man” early in their investigation but he was soon ruled out.

Greg Lynn appearing in court during his committal hearing. Picture: Mollie McPherson

Another man who lived near Wonnangatta Valley was nominated by Parks Victoria as a person of interest but he was eliminated from the investigation based on phone data.

Over the past two weeks, the court heard testimonies from 11 witnesses including a crime scene reconstruction expert, a ballistics expert, other campers who were in the area at the time of the alleged murders and detectives.

At the hearing’s conclusion, Mr Sonnet thanked family members of the deceased for their attendance.

“I understand it would be a very difficult experience ... I thank you for your dignity that’s been displayed,” he said.

Mr Lynn is unlikely to face trial for many months as prosecutors and his defence prepare their cases.

He made no application for bail and was remanded in custody to appear in the Supreme Court for a directions hearing on February 9.