Melbourne man arrested over disappearance of campers in Victoria’s high country
A Melbourne man has been arrested over the disappearance of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay in Victoria’s rugged high country 20 months ago.
The 55-year-old man from Caroline Springs was arrested about 5.30pm on Monday, Victoria police said.
He will be interviewed by detectives on Tuesday morning. No charges have been laid.
Hill, 74, and Clay, 73, were last heard from on 20 March 2020, while camping in the Wonnangatta Valley.
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Hill left his Drouin home on 19 March and picked up Clay from her home in Pakenham in his white Toyota LandCruiser.
He was last heard from on 20 March when he made a call via HF radio saying he was at Wonnangatta Valley in the Victorian Alps.
Clay told friends she was heading away and expected to return home on 28 or 29 March.
Investigators were told the couple were camping together at Wonnangatta River near the Wonnangatta camping ground.
Campers found Hill’s fire-damaged car at their campsite, which was completely destroyed by fire, near Dry River Creek Track on 21 March.
The pair have not been seen or heard from since.
Multiple searches have been conducted in and around the Wonnangatta Valley, including with cadaver dogs.
Hill’s sister Jill has previously said her brother and Clay were in a secret relationship despite Hill being married.
She believed that was part of the reason they travelled remotely together for their trips.
The families have been desperate for answers and recently gave television interviews on the uncertainty surrounding what happened to their loved ones.
“It’s hard. It’s not getting any better
not knowing. You can’t grieve for someone if you don’t know really missing or dead,” Hill’s daughter Debbie told Seven News last month.