Found Deceased Australia - Russell Hill, 74, & Carol Clay, 72, Wonnangatta Valley, 20 March 2020 #3

[JLZ]

I think money.
I don't think Russell would have had any thought of cutting his wife out of any inheritance. That could mean a legal challenge to his will ... and I dont think he would have thought to do that anyway. I think there was consideration for his wife's feelings and welfare, by both Carol and Russell.

Just the sense that I get of the situation.

But money could have affected other people.

This person's opposition might be the reason Russell didn't move in with Carol.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

What I remember is that members of the radio club were upset about Russell and Carol's affair when they found out about it, but that he never brought her on radio club outings.
And that wives were assured that, that sort of thing wasn't going on with any of the club goings away.

I searched but the only thing I can find right now is someones blog which seems to quote what I remember.

But I am sure that later on (or earlier) Rob did say that Carol had been on one of these trips, and others didn't like it. Maybe I will stumble on that link again at some point.

 

[SouthAussie]

This person's opposition might be the reason Russell didn't move in with Carol.

Yes. There are two things that stand out to me as being potential catalysts.

One is Carol's recent purchase of her unit. Where did the money come from? Was it all her money that was used?

The other thing is Russell's last minute backing out of being permanently with Carol. Why? Who was affected, or angry that he even considered that?

 

[Theodora]

I think the wives actually went along on the ham radio group camping trips. I don't think it was a female-exempt thing. Just that Carol was not Russell's wife.

Over the years, the pair had camped together regularly with their wives and other radio club members.
“I think they’ve been murdered”


ETA: The weird thing is this article says “Carol was never ever brought on radio club trips. And apparently Carol’s been around the scene for 20 years, on and off,” Mr Ashlin said.

But I am sure that later on (or earlier) Rob did say that Carol had been on one of these trips, and others didn't like it. Maybe I will stumble on that link again at some point.

Yes I thought he said that too but that statement "Carol was never ever brought on radio club trips" suggest we've misunderstood what he said. Perhaps his comment about "clean" referred to the concerns of group members once they discovered RH had taken CC on quite a few camping trips when he wasn't with the club?

 

[4Erica]

Police to re-examine vehicle of missing camper

Mrs Hill said she was aware of Mr Prideaux and others who had appeared to have simply dropped-off the face of the earth.

One theory was that Mr Prideaux's body was never found in the thick bush off the Buckland Spur Track because it had been consumed by wild animals.

'There are so many that have gone missing,' Mrs Hill said. 'If he fell, and got injured, well there may be nothing left to find.'

 

[4Erica]

If the wife had hired a hitman there should be a money trail, a large unexplained deduction from her accounts at some stage, unless she'd been piggy-banking a few dollars a week for many years. I would expect police to have checked accounts as a matter of routine.

I certainly hope so but they returned the vehicle to her. If she is considered a suspect that is unusual police work IMO.

 

[Theodora]

Yes. There are two things that stand out to me as being potential catalysts.

One is Carol's recent purchase of her unit. Where did the money come from? Was it all her money that was used?

The other thing is Russell's last minute backing out of being permanently with Carol. Why? Who was affected, or angry that he even considered that?

I wonder who told Rob Ashlin that Russell pulled out of moving in with Carol "at the last minute"? In the Bairnsdale Advertiser article SouthAussie posted above, Rob said:

“Carol was never ever brought on radio club trips. And apparently Carol’s been around the scene for 20 years, on and off,” Mr Ashlin said. Mr Ashlin said the two were reportedly teenage sweethearts before splitting up. He says Ms Clay lost her first husband but married for a second time before allegedly divorcing her husband to be with Mr Hill. “But Russell backed out at the last minute,” Mr Ashlin claimed."

My impression from that article is that a Rob had no idea RH was in a sexual relationship with CC until after they disappeared. If so, RH could not have told Rob he had backed out and decided not to be with CC. Did Rob hear this from family members of RH? We know he spoke to RH's wife and perhaps others in his family? Or if Rob knew CC, possibly her family or friends told him this?

What if that report was wrong and RH was still planning to leave his wife and live with CC at the time they disappeared, although he may have been intending to return home before doing so?

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Just for anyone new here this headline and story was from last year.

Police to re-examine vehicle of missing camper

 

[Theodora]

I would like to agree except they returned the vehicle to the Mrs. If she is considered a suspect that is unusual police work IMO.

I'm not sure that they would keep the vehicle longer than necessary to carry out all necessary examinations. She or others in RH's family may not have been suspects when it was first returned. Even if they were suspects by the time it was re-examined and returned the second time, I don't believe the police have the power to refuse to return RH's property to his family once they have completed all tests. They don't have power to confiscate property without due legal process.

 

[Satchie]

Yes. There are two things that stand out to me as being potential catalysts.

One is Carol's recent purchase of her unit. Where did the money come from? Was it all her money that was used?

The other thing is Russell's last minute backing out of being permanently with Carol. Why? Who was affected, or angry that he even considered that?

It's all so different for people in their 70's.

You've got all these assets you've accumulated, like valuable homes with no mortgage, and savings. And when you divorce you have to split it all with your spouse. Carol must have gotten a nice settlement, and maybe Russell had no intention of messing up his financial life with a completely unnecessary divorce.

Secondly, your hormones have depleted, you don't have that desperate desire to be with someone day and night. Carol wasn't a young vamp sending Russell off the deep end into madness.

Finally, older people like their familiar places and routines, why jeopardize their occasional private fun adventures by moving in together and bickering over tiling the bathroom? It's so awkward for the rest of the family, and anyway you're mentally preparing for your next stop, nursing home or grave.

IMO, these two had something comfortable that worked for them. Romantic melodrama comes to seem so pointless when you're older.

JMO

 

[TootsieFootsie]

It ain't necessarily so.

Secondly, your hormones have depleted, you don't have that desperate desire to be with someone day and night. Carol wasn't a young vamp sending Russell off the deep end into madness.

 

[everybodhi]

Yes. There are two things that stand out to me as being potential catalysts.

One is Carol's recent purchase of her unit. Where did the money come from? Was it all her money that was used?

The other thing is Russell's last minute backing out of being permanently with Carol. Why? Who was affected, or angry that he even considered that?

I don’t know anything about anyone’s financial situation except that it’s been said RH was somewhat well off.
I would hope that almost 20 years into a love affair with someone he has known since his youth that there would be gifts, and also financial help if needed, something more than the occasional camp out in the bush.
But I also think she probably owned a home that was paid off over her lifetime which she likely sold to buy her new place, as so many people her age do after the children are grown and the lifestyle needs change. She would also likely have savings and investments at her age, a retirement account.
She doesn’t strike me as a woman who had nothing living in a rental or government housing before he came along.
But I’m only guessing based on appearances.

 

[SouthAussie]

I don’t know anything about anyone’s financial situation except that it’s been said RH was somewhat well off.
I would hope that almost 20 years into a love affair with someone he has known since his youth that there would be gifts, and also financial help if needed, something more than the occasional camp out in the bush.
But I also think she probably owned a home that was paid off over her lifetime which she likely sold to buy her new place, as so many people her age do after the children are grown and the lifestyle needs change. She would also likely have savings and investments at her age, a retirement account.
She doesn’t strike me as a woman who had nothing before he came along.
But I’m only guessing based on appearances.

I don't think Carol had nothing. But I don't know if she had enough to buy a new unit either. She had been married twice previously. Had divorced. These things would have depleted her potential nest egg.

After 20 years of seeing Russell in a fairly committed relationship (judging by their previous intent to be permanently together), it wouldn't surprise me if he helped her out in purchasing the unit. Made up any difference between the cost of the unit and whatever she had in the bank.

 

[JLZ]

I don't think Carol had nothing. But I don't know if she had enough to buy a new unit either. She had been married twice previously. Had divorced. These things would have depleted her potential nest egg.

After 20 years of seeing Russell in a fairly committed relationship (judging by their previous intent to be permanently together), it wouldn't surprise me if he helped her out in purchasing the unit. Made up any difference between the cost of the unit and whatever she had in the bank.

If someone was hoping to inherit from parents after the second parent's death, it might be unnerving to see the parents separate their lives to the extent of one moving in with another partner. There would be some likelihood that the new partner would inherit on the parent's death, and that the new partner wouldn't subsequently bequeath that to the 'stepchild'. I think that's sufficient for a motive--depending on the character of the hypothetical child, of whom I know nothing.

 

[everybodhi]

I don't think Carol had nothing. But I don't know if she had enough to buy a new unit either. She had been married twice previously. Had divorced. These things would have depleted her potential nest egg.

After 20 years of seeing Russell in a fairly committed relationship (judging by their previous intent to be permanently together), it wouldn't surprise me if he helped her out in purchasing the unit. Made up any difference between the cost of the unit and whatever she had in the bank.[QUOTE\]

Maybe she was a renter and didn’t own a home previously which she sold and maybe she paid in full for her unit with a big bundle of money from RH, rather than taking out a mortgage. It’s certainly possible.

 

[4Erica]

She wasn't going to the bush with him just to sip hot cocoa and toast s'mores. IMHO.

 

[everybodhi]

If someone was hoping to inherit from parents after the second parent's death, it might be unnerving to see the parents separate their lives to the extent of one moving in with another partner. There would be some likelihood that the new partner would inherit on the parent's death, and that the new partner wouldn't subsequently bequeath that to the 'stepchild'. I think that's sufficient for a motive--depending on the character of the hypothetical child, of whom I know nothing.

My partner’s grandfather was married three times and was very wealthy, his third wife inherited his estate upon his death, but within the guidelines of a trust, all his children and grandchildren were bequeathed a trust from him of the remainder of his estate, upon her death.
Usually people with money cover these things.

edited to add: that doesn’t mean RH’ kid’s weren’t freaking out and feeling threatened over his affair.

 

[everybodhi]

She wasn't going to the bush with him just to sip hot cocoa and toast s'mores. IMHO.

Study: Many Adults Ages 65 to 80 Continue to Be Sexually Active

Forty percent of adults aged 65 to 80 are sexually active, and more than half, 54 percent, say sex is important to their quality of life.

According to the National Poll On Healthy Aging by the University of Michigan, romantic relationships and sex are important even later in life. Sixty-five percent of people in this age group describe themselves as still being interested in sex.

 

[JLZ]

My partner’s grandfather was married three times and was very wealthy, his third wife inherited his estate upon his death, but within the guidelines of a trust, all his children and grandchildren were bequeathed a trust from him of the remainder of his estate, upon her death.
Usually people with money cover these things.

My two step-siblings' grandparent left them an inner-city house between them. And the equivalent to many other grandchildren, and plenty to the children too. I don't get the impression that Russell, living in Drouin, was that kind of wealthy.

 

[everybodhi]

My two step-siblings' grandparent left them an inner-city house between them. And the equivalent to many other grandchildren, and plenty to the children too. I don't get the impression that Russell, living in Drouin, was that kind of wealthy.

If he did buy her a house in full before they disappeared, it was already too late anyway, that house will go to her kids, or the mortgage will transfer if it’s financed.