In a tragic turn of events, Mr. Hill and Mrs. Clay were found dead in a remote area near the High Country in Victoria. According to Lynn, the accused, there was a struggle for control of a gun near the front of Mr. Hill’s car, which ultimately led to Clay being shot in the head and killed. Defence barristers Michael McGrath and Dermott Dann arrived at court to defend Lynn, who claims that he was acting in self-defense during the altercation.
Lynn recounted to the police that he was able to reclaim the firearm after the initial struggle, only for Mr. Hill to advance towards him with a knife while proclaiming that Clay was dead. A subsequent struggle over the knife resulted in Mr. Hill being fatally stabbed in the chest. Lynn then made a series of choices out of fear, including burning the crime scene and transporting the bodies to another remote location known as Union Spur Track. He later returned to burn the remains of the pair and recounted feeling physically sick in the process.
The Crown prosecutor, Daniel Porceddu, alleged that Lynn deliberately and violently killed the pair with murderous intent, possibly due to a dispute over Mr. Hill’s drone. Police investigation revealed that Lynn had painted his car and disposed of his box trailer in the weeks following the killings. Forensic examination at the crime scene uncovered blood splatters, fatty deposits, skull fragments, and metal projectile fragments, indicating a violent altercation had taken place.
At the Union Spur Track site, police discovered charred remains, including burnt human bones and personal belongings belonging to Mrs. Clay. Examination of the bone fragments suggested they were from at least two adult humans and had started to decompose before being moved, burnt, and placed in a tree hole. Lynn faces charges of two counts of murder, although his defense team maintains that the deaths were accidental and tragic in nature, not of his making.
The court heard testimonies from family members and acquaintances of the deceased, shedding light on the victims’ relationship and activities leading up to their tragic deaths. The prosecution alleges that Mr. Hill died first before Mrs. Clay was shot in the head as she crouched down near their Landcruiser’s canopy. Lynn did not report the deaths or contact the police following the incident, raising suspicions about his involvement in the crime. The trial continues as more evidence is presented to the jury.
A new podcast titled “The Missing Campers Trial,” presented by Nine reporter Penelope Liersch and Age reporter Erin Pearson, will follow the court case as it unfolds in real time. The podcast aims to provide updates and insights into the ongoing trial, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the legal proceedings and testimonies. As the jury deliberates on Lynn’s involvement in the deaths of Mr. Hill and Mrs. Clay, the podcast will provide a comprehensive overview of the case and the tragic events that unfolded in the remote wilderness of Victoria.
