Here's a full copy of the Herald Sun article TootsieFootsie found on Friday 26th June.
I've highlighted in
orange some of the bits of info that I think are new this week.
Friend’s last conversation with missing High Country camper Russell Hill revealed
A close friend of
missing camper Russell Hill says his mate was “upbeat” during their last chat and he believes the experienced bushman has been attacked.
Bairnsdale man Rob Ashlin, who has known Mr Hill for close to three decades, is the last known person to speak to him via an amateur radio network on March 20 about 6pm.
Mr Hill and close friend Carol Clay vanished without a trace sometime within the next 18 hours in Gippsland’s High Country and have not been heard from since this final call.
“He was sparkling like normal, he never had a worry in the world,” Mr Ashlin said.
“The way he was behaving was like he had done any other time up in the bush. He was upbeat during our last chat.”
Police now
believe foul play is the most likely scenario in the disappearance and suspect a “third-party” was involved.
Mr Ashlin said it was uncharacteristic for Mr Hill to leave his camp unattended and believes the suspicious fire is a “decoy” to something more sinister.
“Russell would never, ever leave his vehicle,” he said.
“He’s been attacked, I believe there is more than one person involved.
“It is unbelievable if his life has ended in this manner. We are waiting on answers to get some closure.”
During their final conversation Mr Hill announced he was at Wonnangatta station and soon planned to drive to Dargo, about 70km away.
He had not been there before and asked for directions.
Mr Hill did not check in the following night, which raised alarm bells.
“We were wondering where he was,” Mr Ashlin said.
“The radio network was like a security safety net between all of us whenever we were away camping.”
Mr Hill’s wife Robyn became aware of his unusual absence from the radio network and soon reported it to police.
Something that puzzles Mr Ashlin about the mystery is why Mr Hill went camping alone in the area of the King Billy and Bluff Track between March 11 and 13 before the pair’s trip.
“He never said boo about it, it was a surprise,” he said.
“I don’t know why he went on that trip, it was only an overnight stay, and a six-hour drive each way. There is something strange about it. Robyn can’t work it out either.”
He says he fears for the worst, but hopes for the best: “We just want him found.”
Meanwhile, police have not finished their searches in the Wonnangatta area.
They intend to continue their operations when windows of good weather open up in coming months.
Search and rescue officers believe the couple are not in the zone they have already scoured.
Investigators are keen to talk to each of the up to 200 people who they believe were in the Wonnangatta area when Mr Hill and Ms Clay disappeared.
Previously reported sightings after March 21 are not believed to be the pair.
