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

[trujac]

hello, everyone here... Here is the Dashiell Hammett story of what happened to Russell H. and Carol C. For decades RH and CC deeply loved each other while maintaining separate lives. They both had an extended loving family and a rewarding public life of respectability. They treasured spending time together because their lives were so busy and they shared a lot of interests in common--the only way they could escape into their world of companionship and intimacy and was to drive off into the Australian wilderness...setting up a primitive dwelling of bliss in the Wonnangatta Valley. They first met when only in their 30s...now in their early 70s both had developed an array of health problems. Having discussed often what they could do to make sure they died together doing what they loved to do...it was decided that they would perished together in the Wonnangatta Valley where they had spent so many beautiful years together. Their last night in the valley was spent setting up their campsite the way they always did. The following morning they had a good breakfast. After which, they carefully set their tent on fire, and disappeared into the bush abyss of their Wonnangatta Valley dreams...

 

[trujac]

Another way to take that is that Russell sounded different from usual. You wouldn't remark that someone sounded upbeat and without a worry in the world if that was his characteristic tone. (This is with reference to my--nearly dismissed--idea that it may not have been him on the call.)

Unless they had decided this was going to be their last trip...

 

[trujac]

I think you are reading things into his comment that just isn't there. If he thought it was odd, I'm sure he would have mentioned it. He would have recognised his voice from speaking to him regularly.

It's possible, IMO, RH and CC concluded their life in the Wonnangatta Valley--the multiple times in a short time frame that RH was seen in the Wonnangatta Valley prior to bringing CC for their last visit...could have been spent scouting out a spot where they could die together undisturbed and not be found for eons of time, if at all.

 

[neesaki]

It's possible, IMO, RH and CC concluded their life in the Wonnangatta Valley--the multiple times in a short time frame that RH was seen in the Wonnangatta Valley prior to bringing CC for their last visit...could have been spent scouting out a spot where they could die together undisturbed and not be found for eons of time, if at all.

I’d hate to think they were both so self centered to do something like that, leaving their families hanging, worried and with no closure. Not saying it’s impossible though.

 

[trujac]

I’d hate to think they were both so self centered to do something like that, leaving their families hanging, worried and with no closure. Not saying it’s impossible though.

I hope not too, but there doesn't seem to be an explanation for any of the evidence/or lack of evidence that something else occurred.

 

[trujac]

Interesting. Is it possible he had stumbled across some drug dealing or methamphetamine operation?

It is extremely hard, imo, to "attack" two people and leave absolutely no evidence of the attack...It doesn't seem reasonable to me that RH and CC would go willing with someone without putting up a struggle. They strike me as being tough, street smart, and very intelligent...the fact that LE, at this point, has found absolutely nothing to indicate someone abducted and murdered them, or they simply walked too far away from their camp and had an accident...leaves me thinking that they might of purposely disappeared permanently. Health problems and aging can make people decide to exit their lives. I have seen this happen numerous times...and the families left behind don't understand why...

 

[TrawlwoolwayTracker]

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.

Six hours drive for an overnight stay, presumably alone. This is not normal behaviour.
That is not to take in nature and relax.
Why was he there? Drone footage could be crucial, I’m sure it’s been looked into, but finding it could crack the case wide open.
There’s something in that valley that’s had Russell almost obsessed with it.
Perhaps they need to look beyond a search area, widen the net, find out what really happens out there.
Find what he was so curious about, so obsessed with, and you might find the answer to why he and Carol are gone without a trace.

 

[Midwestmom2019]

It's possible, IMO, RH and CC concluded their life in the Wonnangatta Valley--the multiple times in a short time frame that RH was seen in the Wonnangatta Valley prior to bringing CC for their last visit...could have been spent scouting out a spot where they could die together undisturbed and not be found for eons of time, if at all.

She just bought a new house. She wasn’t in on any suicide pact.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

She may have been tying up loose ends for her family.

She just bought a new house. She wasn’t in on any suicide pact.

 

[JLZ]

With Karlie, it was text not voice.
Are you related or a good friend of Russell? Otherwise how would you know it wasn't "typical Russell" to be upbeat and without worry? He was doing what he loved with someone whose company he enjoyed. Your idea that he was already under threat is just that, an idea. I don't think there is any evidence to support it.

"Police believe those involved in the deaths continued to use Karlie Pearce-Stevenson's phone until 2011, at times impersonating her voice and convincing the dead woman's family to send them money." https://www.smh.com.au/national/gir...r-mobile-for-three-years-20151027-gkjx44.html Texts as well. The media stopped talking about voice impersonation after the girlfriend did a deal with police.

As to the rest, by and large I agree with you.

 

[Tinker Taylor]

"Police believe those involved in the deaths continued to use Karlie Pearce-Stevenson's phone until 2011, at times impersonating her voice and convincing the dead woman's family to send them money." https://www.smh.com.au/national/gir...r-mobile-for-three-years-20151027-gkjx44.html Texts as well. The media stopped talking about voice impersonation after the girlfriend did a deal with police.

As to the rest, by and large I agree with you.

I know this is a separate case, I simply used the comparison to make a point. So just to clarify, when Holdom contacted family, it was by text. Passmore impersonated Karlie with her identity documents and and would most likely have used the phone to speak to people who were not familiar with Karlie's voice. BBM

"The people who loved Karlie and Khandalyce were duped into thinking the two were still alive. Government departments were duped too.


Holdom was using Karlie’s mobile phone after she died to create the illusion that she was still alive. This included texting Karlie’s mum, aunties, cousins, ex-boyfriend and stepfather to ask for money.


Often the texts would say that Karlie wanted to come home and needed money for a plane ticket or to fix her car. On other occasions, the texts would say that she was happily living in Queensland. Of course, Karlie’s family missed her dearly but figured she was deliberately keeping them at arm’s length.


Holdom also managed to access Karlie’s bank account over several years and withdrew her Centrelink benefits. He also committed tax fraud using her name and even got Hazel Passmore to pretend to be Karlie.


All this contributed to the belief that Karlie and Khandalyce were still alive."

[snip]

"Over a few years, after Hazel and Holdom got back together, she learned that Karlie and Holdom hadn’t simply parted ways. Hazel found Karlie’s identity documents in Holdom’s car and a SD card with photographs of Karlie’s body. At one point, Hazel posed as Karlie in Centrelink to claim the dead mother’s welfare benefits."

 

[JLZ]

I know this is a separate case, I simply used the comparison to make a point. So just to clarify, when Holdom contacted family, it was by text. Passmore impersonated Karlie with her identity documents and and would most likely have used the phone to speak to people who were not familiar with Karlie's voice. BBM

"The people who loved Karlie and Khandalyce were duped into thinking the two were still alive. Government departments were duped too.


Holdom was using Karlie’s mobile phone after she died to create the illusion that she was still alive. This included texting Karlie’s mum, aunties, cousins, ex-boyfriend and stepfather to ask for money.


Often the texts would say that Karlie wanted to come home and needed money for a plane ticket or to fix her car. On other occasions, the texts would say that she was happily living in Queensland. Of course, Karlie’s family missed her dearly but figured she was deliberately keeping them at arm’s length.


Holdom also managed to access Karlie’s bank account over several years and withdrew her Centrelink benefits. He also committed tax fraud using her name and even got Hazel Passmore to pretend to be Karlie.


All this contributed to the belief that Karlie and Khandalyce were still alive."

[snip]

"Over a few years, after Hazel and Holdom got back together, she learned that Karlie and Holdom hadn’t simply parted ways. Hazel found Karlie’s identity documents in Holdom’s car and a SD card with photographs of Karlie’s body. At one point, Hazel posed as Karlie in Centrelink to claim the dead mother’s welfare benefits."

From all that I'm not convinced one way or another about the specific contact with Karlie's mother that led police to regard Karlie as not missing--whether it was text or voice. However, you've raised enough doubt that I won't in future claim that an impersonator deceived Karlie's mother making a voice call.

 

[Ramjet]

Interesting. Is it possible he had stumbled across some drug dealing or methamphetamine operation?

No

 

[Kemug]

I just can't really believe the suicide theory. I am nearly as old as Carol, and "I've got a lot of living to do"! So many more places to go, things to do, new things to learn, people to meet, music to make, friends to help, books to read, puzzles to solve, grandkid's things to watch, chocolates to eat, etc, etc. Yes, I've got my share of aches and pains - who hasn't? Russell is not much older, but much is being made of his "health problems", including his heart. All his problems are no doubt being medicated and monitored, and he hopefully has many years ahead of him. So, I may be wrong, but I don't believe they suicided.

 

[Tinker Taylor]

I've been reading all the on line reviews of the area and forums I can find, where people have related their experiences at Wonnangatta Station Campsite.

Most have been positive and have praised the area. However there has been several that have mentioned people spotlighting up there during the early hours and one relating some people doing donuts in the camping area.

Now Russell and Carol were there on a Friday night and it seems that they were the only campers there at that time. So it's quite possible the weekend hunters (probably some relatively local lads due to the distance) could have been there in the early hours misbehaving.

Has anyone on this forum been camping there and seen anyone acting foolishly (shooting near the camping area/doing donuts) or anything else that would have been considered threatening and or illegal?

 

[Paul_Pry]

Here is the Dashiell Hammett story of what happened to Russell H. and Carol C.

Very interesting take on the case. May I ask where this is from?
I have had a feeling something like this could be the scenario. It definitely explains Russell's short strange solo trip a week prior where he could have been preparing everything... I think future search efforts should include the area around where Russell's solo trip was.

I didn't know Carol had health problems though, she seems rather vivacious with her CWA activities.

 

[trujac]

Very interesting take on the case. May I ask where this is from?
I have had a feeling something like this could be the scenario. It definitely explains Russell's short strange solo trip a week prior where he could have been preparing everything... I think future search efforts should include the area around where Russell's solo trip was.

I didn't know Carol had health problems though, she seems rather vivacious with her CWA activities.

Paul, after spending a lot of time researching and thinking about this case, the thought came to mind that perhaps they orchestrated their disappearance--not to start life over somewhere else, but to end it together. It is not an outcome that anyone would hope for, however, it is not out of the realm of a real possibility, imo. I was surmising that perhaps Carol had some health problems. A lot of elderly people do not disclose their medical issues to their family...Carol had been separated from her husband for several years and she had three children--from all accounts, she was close to children/grandchildren but lived independently from them. When investigators first examined RH/CC's campsite their first impression was that the evidence pointed to some kind of accident taking place--with both the campsite fire and the missing couple. When LE could not find any accelerate or any trace of the couple, after weeks of thoroughly examining the remnants of the fire and searching extensively for the couple--they starting entertaining foul play as an option to explain what happened to them. However, even with that line of inquiry--there is absolutely no evidence that anyone abducted them from their campsite or a short ways away from their campsite--no dna, and no foot or vehicle tracks or personal items were found in proximity to their campsite. Sometimes, the first explanation, based on available evidence, is the best explanation...RH and CC left their campsite on their own volition. Regarding the hypothesis that RH and CC had discovered something with their drone that led to their demise--I don't think there is any evidence of that either. I think there is some merit in the theory that a websleuth member posted here (was it you?)--that RH or CC suffered a medical emergency that prevented them getting back to their campsite or they had a medical episode at their campsite that prevented them from driving their truck and they left their campsite on foot in search of help. It doesn't seem to me that RH and CC are going to be found or there will be new evidence forthcoming anytime soon.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Hiding in plain sight.

Totally consumed by the fire. Spontaneous combustion and whatever was left was taken away by animals.

Too awful to think about but if it was possible it might explain their disappearance.
Except that the experts would know if any human remain traces were found.

 

[trujac]

She just bought a new house. She wasn’t in on any suicide pact.

IMO, closing on a house a week before something of a critical nature happens does not necessarily mean that the buying of a house had a set of future outcomes that did not include the possibility of suicide...people make decisions that aren't always readily apparent.

 

[SouthAussie]

IMO, closing on a house a week before something of a critical nature happens does not necessarily mean that the buying of a house had a set of future outcomes that did not include the possibility of suicide...people make decisions that aren't always readily apparent.

For me, they have too many beautiful grandchildren to contemplate leaving this world by their own choice.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/...days-before-camping-trip-20200422-p54m7y.html

A woman who went missing with a family friend on a camping trip in Victoria's high country last month was happily talking to friends about her grandchildren and had settled on a brand new property in Melbourne's south-east a week before the pair's mysterious disappearance.