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Police are hoping information about a “mystery vehicle” could lead to a breakthrough in the baffling case of two campers who have been missing for almost a year.
Friends Russell Hill and Carol Clay vanished while on a camping trip in the remote Wonnangatta Valley east of Melbourne on March 20.
In an update on Friday afternoon, Victoria Police said they had been able to identify all vehicles seen in the area near Russell and Carol’s campsite, except one car.
Police described the vehicle as a white dual cab ute, with the exact make and model unknown.
Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said investigators “could not afford to leave any stone unturned”.
“We cannot leave any ‘what ifs’ when it comes to an investigation like this,” he said.
“I appreciate this is not an especially uncommon vehicle, however if you or someone you know with a white dual cab ute was in the Wonnangatta area around 20 March last year then we need to hear from you.”
Inspector Stamper said the renewed appeal came ahead of the long weekend when police anticipated a “high number” of people would flock to camping grounds across the state.
“I expect a number of people will take advantage of the extra time off to head up to the high country, so it’s an opportunity for us to renew this appeal for information,” he said.
“I would stress that there is nothing linking that vehicle to Russell and Carol’s disappearance so please do not be concerned about coming forward to assist.
“The grief that these families have had to deal with over the past year, coupled with immense public speculation, is immensely difficult to comprehend.”
Russell left his Drouin home on March 19 before collecting Carol from her home in Pakenham in his white Toyota Landcruiser.
He was last heard from the following day via HF radio, stating he was at Wonnangatta Valley in the Victorian Alps when he made the call.
Carol told friends she was heading away and was expecting to return home on March 28 or 29.
Investigators have been told the pair were camping together at Wonnangatta River near the Wonnangatta camping ground.
Police want to speak to anyone who was in the Wonnangatta area at that time, including campers, 4×4 day trippers, hunters, fishermen or trail bike riders, regardless of whether they saw or heard anything.
Detectives were also keen to speak to anyone who was in the area of Howitt Plains and Zeka Spur Track on March 19 and 20, and the Wonnangatta Valley and Wonnangatta Station between March 20 and 24.
Investigators were told Russell took his DJI Mavic drone before going camping.
It is yet to be recovered.
Campers found Russell’s vehicle with signs of “minor fire damage” at their campsite, which was destroyed by fire, near Dry River Creek Track in the Wonnangatta Valley on March 21.
Detectives have also established that Russell was camping alone with his Landcruiser in the area of the King Billy and Bluff Track between March 11 and 13.
Information was later received about the sighting of an older person or pair in the Black Snake Creek, Eaglevale River crossing and the Ollies Jump area on March 22 and 23, but have never been able to establish if this was the missing campers.
Detectives call for anyone in this area, any older couple who may be these people, to also come forward.
It is still yet to be fully determined whether the pair’s disappearance is suspicious.
Anyone who sees Russell or Carol is urged to contact triple-0 immediately and anyone with information about the white dual cab ute should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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