Lawyers for Greg Lynn flag bid for partial suppression order

A hunter has told a court he noticed something “strange” about vehicles parked at the campsite where Russell Hill and Carol Clay were last seen.

A sketch of Greg Lynn at court yesterday. Picture: Mollie McPherson

A pair of hunters in the Victorian High Country claimed to have seen Russell Hill and Carol Clay the day before they were allegedly murdered.

Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn is accused of murdering Mr Hill, 74 and Ms Clay, 73, who vanished while camping in the Wonnangatta Valley in the state’s northeast almost three years ago.

Goran Miljkovic and Damir Jovar told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday they saw an elderly couple driving a white LandCruiser in the valley on March 19, 2020 before it turned into a campsite.

Giving evidence via video link from NSW and with the assistance of a Serbian translator, Mr Miljkovic said it was “strange” that the vehicle had parked close to two other cars – a blue Nissan Patrol and a white ute – given the amount of space available.

Accused murderer Greg Lynn has appeared before a packed courtroom. Picture: Supplied

Russell Hill and Carol Clay’s burnout campsite photographed by a camper in the Wonnangatta Valley. Picture: ABC

He said he heard a single gunshot just before dawn the following day, but thought nothing of it because the area was popular for hunting.

Later that day, Mr Miljkovic stated he saw the older couple returning from a nearby graveyard but did not speak to them.

Mr Hill’s last known contact was with a friend via a high-frequency radio on the same day, March 20.

Police allege Mr Lynn killed the pair later that day.

Their burnt out campsite was discovered by a passer-by on March 21.

Wearing a black suit with a grey tie, Mr Lynn, 56, was led into the dock by two custody officers in front of a packed courtroom filled with lawyers, media and members of the public.

He took notes during the committal hearing, which is expected to run for three days and will determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial in the Supreme Court.

Carol Clay and Russell Hill vanished while camping in March 2020.

Police search the rugged terrain north of Dargo for the bodies of Ms Clay and Mr Hill. Picture: Jason Edwards

Other witnesses gave evidence on Monday, including weed sprayer Robert Williams, who was working in the valley at the time of the alleged murders.

Mr Williams said he saw an older man driving a LandCruiser at speed on March 20, describing him as “a grumpy old bugger”.

“He just seemed to be zooming in a hurry to get to his camp,” he said.

Later that day, Mr Williams said, he saw a drone flying over the valley.

In his statement to police, Mr Williams described smelling “burning plastic” the following afternoon.

Another camper, Tom Matthews, told the court he was woken by the sound of a vehicle towing a trailer past his camp in the early hours of March 21.

Mr Lynn has been on remand since November 2021 following his arrest in remote bush country in the Licola area of East Gippsland.

The missing campers’ remains were discovered in late November 2021, days after Mr Lynn’s arrest, following an ­extensive search of rugged terrain north of Dargo.

The hearing continues.