Were missing high country campers attacked in tent?
A new theory has emerged in the case of missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay, who disappeared in the Wonnangatta Valley more than four months ago, with speculation the pair were attacked inside their tent now mounting.
Detectives are investigating whether missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay were attacked inside their tent.
The theory that they were ambushed in their shelter, possibly while asleep, is believed to have gained weight as other possibilities have become more remote.
The tent ambush theory may explain the fire which destroyed the tent and camp furniture, as well as scorching Mr Hill’s four-wheel-drive.
One possibility is that it was lit by whoever attacked the pair in a bid to destroy forensic evidence.
But the scenario is far from the only line of inquiry in a complex and challenging investigation which has now been running for more than four months.
Working out exactly what happened has been difficult because the crime scene was exposed to weather for days before being forensically examined.
The last contact with the couple was on March 20 when Mr Hill, an experienced bushman from Drouin, spoke to mate Rob Ashlin on the radio.
He was in the process of setting up camp as darkness descended in the Wonnangatta Valley at Dry River Creek Track, north of Billabong.
The next afternoon, another visitor to the region came across the site, noticing the fire damage.
Investigators believe it had gone cold and had been out for some time when the passer-by saw the campsite on March 21.
Police were not told of what happened for some days and have been unable to establish a firm cause for the fire.
The possibility they have perished from some kind of misadventure is now viewed as highly unlikely.
A massive search effort which ran for more than 30 days did not find any trace of Mr Hill, 74, and Ms Clay, 73.
Specialist search and rescue officers have told detectives they do not believe they are in the zone scoured.
Others who have gone bush with Mr Hill said he was not someone who would wander far from wherever he had set up camp.
Another element of the riddle is the whereabouts of Mr Hill’s drone.
He had taken it on the trip with Ms Clay but it was not at the campsite and has not been recovered.
The missing persons squad is investigating the Hill-Clay case and are still keen to talk to anyone who was in the area at the time the pair vanished.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au
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Originally published as Were missing high country campers attacked in tent?
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