Shovels found in bushland as police expand investigation into missing duo

Two shovels were recovered from dense bushland at Mt Hotham on Wednesday when police expanded the search area as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Drouin man Russell Hill and Pakenham woman Carol Clay.

The shovels are being forensically assessed by police for their relevance and importance to investigations into the disappearance of the two campers from the Wonnangatta Valley area in March last year.

Missing Person Squad detectives and Search and Rescue officers searched the Great Alpine Rd, Mount Hotham last week.

Missing Persons Squad detective acting inspector Tony Combridge said police had received “multiple sources” of information that led them to their Mt Hotham search.

“This is a significant piece of information we are acting on.”

Det Combridge said he would not confirm whether the information related to a suspect or the movement of the couple.

While saying nothing was off the table, “the most likely scenario is there are other parties involved.”

Det Combridge said the search area was confined to a narrow radius adjacent to the Great Alpine Rd, in dense bushland where it was likely people had not walked before.

Police believe Russell left his Drouin home on March 19 last year, picked-up Carol from her home in Pakenham in his white Toyota Landcruiser, then travelled via Licola spending one night at Howitt High Plains before heading into Wonnangatta Valley on March 20.

Campers found Russell’s vehicle with signs of minor fire damage at their campsite, which was completely destroyed by fire, near Dry River Creek Track in the Wonnangatta Valley on March 21.

Missing Persons Squad detectives, with the assistance of specialist police, have conducted numerous searches in and around the Wonnangatta Valley over the past 12 months.

Investigators are continuing to appeal to anyone who was in the Wonnangatta area around that time, including campers, four wheel drive day trippers, hunters, fishermen or trail bike riders, regardless of whether they saw or heard anything.

Detectives are also keen to speak to anyone who was in the area of Howitt Plains and Zeka Spur Track on March 19 or 20, and the Wonnangatta Valley and Wonnangatta Station between March 20 to 24 March.

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 to 13.

Information was later received about sighting of an older person or pair in the Black Snake Creek, Eaglevale River crossing and the Ollies Jump area on March 22 to 23, however police have not been able to establish if it was the missing campers.

Anyone who sights Russell or Carol is urged to contact triple zero (000) immediately.

Anyone with any other information regarding their disappearance or who has any CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www.crimestoppersvic.com.au