Drone not linked to missing Victorian campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay

A potential clue in the case of two Victorian campers missing for almost a year has been ruled out as being linked to the pair.

A drone handed in to detectives investigating the case of two missing Victorian campers has not been linked to the pair, police have confirmed.

Police were hoping the drone, which was handed in to an East Gippsland police station at the weekend, would provide potential new clues in the search for Russell Hill and Carol Clay who disappeared almost a year ago.

Investigators were told Mr Hill took his DJI Mavic drone before going camping.

However, missing person squad detectives have determined the drone handed in is not Mr Hill’s.

Despite this, investigators would continue to analyse the drone to determine its origins, Victoria Police said in a statement on Tuesday.

The damaged campsite belonging to Russell Hill and Carol Clay. Picture: ABC

Mr Hill and Ms Clay vanished while on a camping trip in the remote Wonnangatta Valley east of Melbourne on March 20 last year.

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

He was last heard from the following day via HF radio, stating he was at Wonnangatta Valley in the Victorian Alps when he made the call.

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

Investigators have been told the pair were camping together at Wonnangatta River near the Wonnangatta camping ground.

An aerial view of the Wonnangatta camping area.

Police on Friday appealed for information about a mystery vehicle, hoping it could lead to a breakthrough in the baffling case.

Victoria Police revealed they had been able to identify all vehicles seen in the area near Mr Hill and Ms Clay’s campsite except one car – a white dual cab ute, with the make and model unknown.

Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said while there was nothing linking that vehicle to the pair’s disappearance, investigators “could not afford to leave any stone unturned”.

Anyone with any other information regarding their disappearance or who can provide information about the white dual cab ute is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Originally published as Drone not linked to missing Victorian campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay