Mobile phone could crack case of missing High Country campers

A charging mobile phone has been pegged as possible cause of the fire which damaged the High Country campsite of missing friends Russell Hill and Carol Clay. But just how or why the blaze began still remains a mystery.

Russell Hill and Carol Clay’s burnt-out campsite near Dry River in the Wonnangatta Valley. Picture: ABC

A mobile phone left on a charger is a possible cause of the fire which damaged the High Country campsite of missing friends Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

The Herald Sun understands one theory is that the phone or charger ignited after being left unattended for unknown reasons.

Investigators are believed to have found no indication of an accelerant being used to fuel the fire, which is one of the key elements in the mysterious disappearances.

It destroyed a tent, camp chairs and a table.

Mr Hill’s Toyota well-equipped four-wheel-drive was scorched but was still able to be driven.

The campsite was found on March 26, in the Wonnangatta Valley area, 250km north-east of Melbourne.

Mr Hill, 74, had not made radio contact with his wife Robyn since March 20, a day after leaving their Drouin home.

It is believed the campsite was in a location with no phone reception.

A new search of the area by officers from the search and rescue squad and local police will begin on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, Mr Hill’s wife Robyn said she was “glad” the search was resuming for the pair.

“I just want them found,” Mrs Hill said.

“I’m happy the search is resuming.”

Russell Hill.

Carol Clay.

The fresh twist comes just hours before the renewed operation, being run in conjunction with a local CIU investigation, is expected to begin.

“The search will be conducted within the previous search area but will concentrate on some of the more rugged terrain in the region,” a police spokeswoman said.

It will be centred around an area north of Billabong where a campsite belonging to the pair was found on March 26.

Last week, Mrs Hill revealed she thought he was taking the camping trip alone.

“I just wish they would find them both alive,” Mrs Hill said at the time.

“I thought he was going alone, I can’t believe it.

“I’ve got a feeling they may have died.”

She said Russell and Carol had been friendly for decades.

Mrs Hill said her husband “knew the area well” as he used to work up there for his work in logging.

She said she had an inkling something had gone wrong when he stopped communicating on his radio system.

“I knew something was wrong because he wasn’t calling in on the radio,” Mrs Hill said.

“It is not a good place to be when the weather gets bad.”

She issued a message to her husband of 50 years.

“You silly bugger,” she said.

The scene at Mr Hill and Ms Clay’s camp site has only magnified the mystery of what happened to them.

Charred camping furniture and tent poles were found at their site.

Although it bore scorch marks along the side, Mr Hill’s late-model Toyota four-wheel-drive was able to be driven, leading police to believe they walked away.

But an extensive search effort, aided by helicopters and drones, found no trace of them.

Mrs Clay’s car was later found at her Pakenham home.

Detectives from Wellington criminal investigation unit are trying to unravel what happened to Mr Hill and Ms Clay.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website crimestoppersvic.com.au.

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