Australia - Russell Hill & Carol Clay Murdered While Camping - Wonnangatta Valley, 2020 #8

[ProfCluezo]

There has obviously been friction between the two parties. Most likely related to Lynn's use of firearms in an unlawful manner.

I suspect Hill has warned Lynn to cease, he has refused and then Hill has made it clear to Lynn that he has enough evidence of his unlawful activity, probably via the drone, that he is going to dob him in.

I suspect things only got worse from there and Lynn has killed them to silence them - Hill first and then Clay. The murders may have occurred when the pair were tucked into bed, it may not. But murder them he most certainly did.

Lynn's concoction of a convenient story of self defence is pure fiction and his explanation of Clay's death absolutely fanciful. Not sure how the jury managed to keep a straight face when they heard it.

I agree this seems a far more compelling explanation.

 

[jjleroche]

I think it escalated from this ..... "Mr Lynn told him he was speaking nonsense."

I also think it is possible that Russell was shot in the back as he was walking away from Lynn after a confrontation.
Then Carol was shot, cowering in fright, near their campsite.

I am thinking that Lynn had his shotgun nearby, ready to go night hunting. Because he said he used his shotgun in darker areas when hunting (but didn't say he went night hunting).

Lynn appears to have had a dominance and rage issue, according to a report of domestic violence when his first wife was still alive.

'Two accidental deaths': Lawyers for ex-pilot Greg Lynn outline defence case in camper murder trial

Greg Lynn admits covering up the deaths of two campers and disposing of their bodies, his lawyer says, but insists he is innocent of murder.

www.abc.net.au

Brilliant post SouthAussie! IMO this scenario ticks all the boxes.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

As Tom Petty sang :

The waiting is the hardest part

 

[mirage1]

I think it escalated from this ..... "Mr Lynn told him he was speaking nonsense."

I also think it is possible that Russell was shot in the back as he was walking away from Lynn after a confrontation.
Then Carol was shot, cowering in fright, near their campsite.

I am thinking that Lynn had his shotgun nearby, ready to go night hunting. Because he said he used his shotgun in darker areas when hunting (but didn't say he went night hunting).

Lynn appears to have had a dominance and rage issue, according to a report of domestic violence when his first wife was still alive.

'Two accidental deaths': Lawyers for ex-pilot Greg Lynn outline defence case in camper murder trial

Greg Lynn admits covering up the deaths of two campers and disposing of their bodies, his lawyer says, but insists he is innocent of murder.

www.abc.net.au

I am still struggling to accept that as sufficient motive for an airline captain out camping to snap and execute two elderly people. Its such a huge leap. I find it more plausible that Hill was killed during an altercation (manslaughter?), and then the lady was murdered as she was the witness. I certainly don't believe his version of events but I think there is more to it than simple cold blood execution.

 

[AussieIan]

Fine. You're welcome to your opinion.




But it isn't about you. It's about Lynn who is as guilty as hell in my opinion.

I think from reading peoples posts during the trial and asking the simple question here, What happened that night? and seeing so many people have different versions of events it shows that the prosecution has failed to prove his guilt of murder beyond a reasonable doubt which would be a major issue to me as a juror.

I get that I'm in the minority but to me on the balance of probabilities it's far more likely for a negligent or accidental discharge (with or without a struggle) to have occurred than Lynn cold bloodedly murdering 2 senior citizens over an argument, then leaving a blinking neon sign of a crime scene.


It just doesn't make any sense to me having heard what we have about Lynn that he chooses to kill 2 in cold blood knowing he won't be able to dispose of the car, people will pass through the campground as soon as the early morning and report concerns about the half burnt camp/open car to police, he's got limited amount of night to then dispose of evidence and bodies, difficult terrain to traverse, etc.


Look, I don't think it went down the way Lynn described with RH grabbing his gun and shooting in the air first but I'm far from convinced he meant to kill them as well.

I still think alcohol was the missing factor we should have heard more about in the trial. Unless they thought arguing Lynn was intoxicated would lower his culpability? Surely not?

 

[sapphire blue]

I am still struggling to accept that as sufficient motive for an airline captain out camping to snap and execute two elderly people. Its such a huge leap. I find it more plausible that Hill was killed during an altercation (manslaughter?), and then the lady was murdered as she was the witness. I certainly don't believe his version of events but I think there is more to it than simple cold blood execution.

‘More to it than simple old blood execution’
Do you think there was also more to it when he moved, hid and burned their bodies and destroyed their bodies?

His actions show a calculated, cold blooded callousness. I don’t believe he panicked at the thought of being wrongly blamed for their deaths.

I also keep questioning why he originally repainted his vehicle from white to dark blue prior to these deaths.

 

[Kemug]

No, it doesn't make sense that he chose to kill 2 people in cold blood. But neither does it make sense that he went 100% into obliterating them from the face of the earth.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

I think from reading peoples posts during the trial and asking the simple question here, What happened that night? and seeing so many people have different versions of events it shows that the prosecution has failed to prove his guilt of murder beyond a reasonable doubt which would be a major issue to me as a juror.

I get that I'm in the minority but to me on the balance of probabilities it's far more likely for a negligent or accidental discharge (with or without a struggle) to have occurred than Lynn cold bloodedly murdering 2 senior citizens over an argument, then leaving a blinking neon sign of a crime scene.


It just doesn't make any sense to me having heard what we have about Lynn that he chooses to kill 2 in cold blood knowing he won't be able to dispose of the car, people will pass through the campground as soon as the early morning and report concerns about the half burnt camp/open car to police, he's got limited amount of night to then dispose of evidence and bodies, difficult terrain to traverse, etc.


Look, I don't think it went down the way Lynn described with RH grabbing his gun and shooting in the air first but I'm far from convinced he meant to kill them as well.

I still think alcohol was the missing factor we should have heard more about in the trial. Unless they thought arguing Lynn was intoxicated would lower his culpability? Surely not?

Did you follow the Chris Dawson case?

Dawson has been convicted of murder and been unsuccessful in his appeal.

How did he kill his wife Lyn?

 

[AussieIan]

I am still struggling to accept that as sufficient motive for an airline captain out camping to snap and execute two elderly people. Its such a huge leap. I find it more plausible that Hill was killed during an altercation (manslaughter?), and then the lady was murdered as she was the witness. I certainly don't believe his version of events but I think there is more to it than simple cold blood execution.

I agree.

I think Lynn was drunk and approached with shotgun in hand and it all went south from there. So many paths to death are available mixing firearms, alcohol and 2 blokes who'd been arguing. Whether 1 was an accident 1 was murder, or both were accidental, or both murder imo it really is hard to say with certainty.

I think the weak point in his story about RH grabbing the firearm is weak because that's the bit he had to make up where he struggled to find a reason they've ended up dead which doesn't start with Lynn with the shotgun. Hill firing shots in the air is a bizarre addition considering he would have had time to analyze the news coverage and learn about Hill I think the logical extrapolation is that shots were fired in the air but by Lynn so he inserted that in case there was a nearby witness who heard every shot. I think the most logical reason Lynn would be firing shots in the air would be that he was drunk.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I'm finding it very hard to have any sympathy for the situation he's found himself in.

 

[MIG214222]

How do you think it played out and why?

Hi @AussieIan,
(imo) this *started* the moment he told Hill & Clay there were *other* camping spots but they had the audacity to ignore his 'advice' and camp in space that he'd determined was *his*.
That lit his wick, the rage started to burn from that point..........

As for the rest, I'm trusting the jury to deliver justice.

MOO

 

[Cliff Hardy]

@Aussielan

We all speculated on how Chris Dawson murdered his wife Lyn. Just as we have all speculated on how Greg Lynn murdered Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

As we found in the Chris Dawson case, it doesn't matter how you did it. It's a matter of whether you did it.

 

[AussieIan]

‘More to it than simple old blood execution’
Do you think there was also more to it when he moved, hid and burned their bodies and destroyed their bodies?

His actions show a calculated, cold blooded callousness. I don’t believe he panicked at the thought of being wrongly blamed for their deaths.

I also keep questioning why he originally repainted his vehicle from white to dark blue prior to these deaths.

The problem with calling the body disposal and cleaning calculated, cold blooded and callous is that it doesn't really fit with the decision to murder 2 people in an open air site that is going to be trafficked and discovered by others in as little as a few hours and with only a few hours of night available to cover it up.



1st repainting is probs innocent, looked like it was done professionally, white shows dirt more, if you're regularly 4wding and camping a dark colour makes sense. Painting it beige by hand roller after your vehicles likelihood was shown on national TV on the other hand does not!!

Did you follow the Chris Dawson case?

Dawson has been convicted of murder and been unsuccessful in his appeal.

How did he kill his wife Lyn?

That's a fair point, but they did have more to go on in terms of solid motive, previous history and him making that statement about 'she won't be back' or whatever he said.

There is just nothing to justify Lynn murdering an old couple except 'they argued over a drone'. Not that people don't kill over stupid things but...

Fark, at this point I should be on Dermotts payroll.

This article has a photo I hadn't seen before and unravels the guy rope tangling them up theory imo. The rope is tied specifically to the opposite sideof RHs car to their camp, allowing him or Carol to walk to the toiler without encountering it, would also mean if the confrontation began at their camp they could tussle over to the front of the car without hitting the rope at all. If anything, it would stop them moving that way and back towards the front corner GL alleges CC was shot from.

The 17 points Lynn’s defence team wants you to know about the missing campers case

The defence barrister for the accused killer says no motive, junk theories and unfairness to an innocent man are among the “lowlights” of the prosecution case.

www.theage.com.au

Did they say if Lynn had replaced his phone? I wonder if he thought to take photos with his phone to make sure his story would be accurate.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

That's a fair point, but they did have more to go on in terms of solid motive, previous history and him making that statement about 'she won't be back' or whatever he said.

There is just nothing to justify Lynn murdering an old couple except 'they argued over a drone'.

Lynn admitted his motive for destroying Hill and Clay's bodies and all the other evidence was his fear of losing his ASIC card and therefore his career as a pilot. I believe that same motive was why he chose to kill them.

 

[emirates1957]

Lynn admitted his motive for destroying Hill and Clay's bodies and all the other evidence was his fear of losing his ASIC card and therefore his career as a pilot. I believe that same motive was why he chose to kill them.

I can’t tell you many crew I’ve witnessed over the years try and cover up scenarios in order not to loose their ASIC/ career. Flying jet aircraft is quite specialised so you just don’t walk out and get another job (GL in court said that he had no other qualifications to fall back on).

 

[Poirot's niece]

Perhaps Hill's drone records Lynn shooting illegally. One early search party on horseback found many fresh deer carcasses nearby. Lynn might've demanded the footage, Russell said no. He could've threatened him with the shotgun and Hill refused. Whether a 'scuffle/struggle' occurred immediately or he killed them later as they slept we know that he went to extreme lengths to dispose of the drone and their bodies, obliterating all the evidence that incriminated himself. The falling on his own knife is up there with patients in hospitals who fall arse first on carrots while 'cooking and dancing naked'.

 

[drsleuth]

Perhaps Hill's drone records Lynn shooting illegally. One early search party on horseback found many fresh deer carcasses nearby. Lynn might've demanded the footage, Russell said no. He could've threatened him with the shotgun and Hill refused. Whether a 'scuffle/struggle' occurred immediately or he killed them later as they slept we know that he went to extreme lengths to dispose of the drone and their bodies, obliterating all the evidence that incriminated himself. The falling on his own knife is up there with patients in hospitals who fall arse first on carrots while 'cooking and dancing naked'.

BBM : Haha so true.....Oh the stories & they think we believe them

 

[Cliff Hardy]

The falling on his own knife is up there with patients in hospitals who fall arse first on carrots while 'cooking and dancing naked'.

I still haven't worked out which of the kill claims is the more ridiculous, Russell by falling on his own knife or Carol via a shot that went off inadvertently during a struggle via a car mirror. It's not even good fiction and if Dann succeeds in selling that to the jury he is the guy I want representing me if I ever get into trouble.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1802527872747479120

Are these reporters - Cassie & Rochelle - saying anything this afternoon on twitter. I don't have an account, so I can't view it.

 

[discostu]

Are these reporters - Cassie & Rochelle - saying anything this afternoon on twitter. I don't have an account, so I can't view it.

Nothing new from today from what I can see..