Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn, convicted of murdering camper Carol Clay in Victoria’s High Country, is appealing his 32-year sentence. His legal team claims the 2024 trial was unfair, citing prosecutorial misconduct, expert overreach & unsafe jury reasoning. The Court of Appeal’s 2026 decision could either uphold the conviction or trigger a retrial in one of Australia’s most closely watched murder cases.
The case of Greg Lynn, the former Jetstar pilot convicted of murdering camper Carol Clay in Victoria’s High Country, remains one of Australia’s most gripping legal sagas. From the 2020 disappearance of Clay & Russell Hill to the ongoing 2025 appeal hearings, Lynn’s story spans mystery, tragedy & courtroom drama.
Who Is Greg Lynn?
Greg Lynn, now 59, was a former Jetstar Airbus A320 captain & flight trainer from Caroline Springs, Melbourne. Married to Melanie, a Qantas flight attendant & father to Geordie, Lynn was known as a skilled hunter & camper with a valid firearms licence.
He had no criminal record before his arrest in 2021. Following the charges, Jetstar terminated his employment, marking the end of his 17-year aviation career.
March 2020 – The Disappearance of Carol Clay & Russell Hill
On 19 March 2020, retirees Russell Hill (74) and Carol Clay (73) — longtime friends & secret lovers — set out for a camping trip to Bucks Camp in the remote Wonnangatta Valley, about five hours northeast of Melbourne.
Hill made his final HF radio call on 20 March, which sounded calm & routine. Days later, fellow campers discovered Hill’s burnt-out Toyota LandCruiser, a shattered side mirror, & a charred campsite, but no trace of the pair.
Police initially treated the case as a missing-persons investigation before shifting to homicide when no leads surfaced. Reports later suggested that an argument over Hill’s drone & Lynn’s hunting activity may have triggered the deadly confrontation.
The Investigation (2020–2021)
Authorities launched one of Victoria’s largest manhunts, scouring more than 200 square kilometres of rugged terrain. Detectives recovered melted metal, charred gear, and a fragment of Clay’s wedding ring, indicating a fire.
CCTV showed a blue Nissan Patrol with a trailer leaving the area soon after the campers vanished. Investigators matched the vehicle to Greg Lynn, whose mobile phone data placed him near Bucks Camp at the time.
Forensic analysis by the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department in Macleod later identified gun residue on the LandCruiser mirror. Lynn’s arrest came 20 months after the disappearance, after months of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
22 November 2021 – Arrest and Interrogation
Police arrested Lynn at his Caroline Springs home and transported him to Sale Police Station, where he was interviewed over four days. He cooperated fully, sketching the Bucks Camp layout & claiming both deaths were tragic accidents.
Lynn said Hill died during a knife struggle, while Clay was accidentally shot when the shotgun discharged in the scuffle. He admitted burning the campsite out of fear, later confessing that he suffered nightmares & remorse for months.
He was formally charged with two counts of murder at Sale Magistrates’ Court on 25 November 2021 before transfer to Melbourne. Soon after, police found human remains near Union Spur Track. DNA confirmed they belonged to Hill and Clay.
Pre-Trial Developments (2022–2023)
Lynn’s defence argued police had conducted a botched ballistics test & failed to disclose results that supported the accidental discharge theory. Prosecutors led by Brendan Kissane KC maintained that Lynn’s actions after the killings showed consciousness of guilt.
A 2023 suppression order restricted reporting on Lynn’s Jetstar disciplinary record. Media outlets later contested this & by mid-2025, most details were released following court approval.
The Greg Lynn Trial – May to June 2024
The five-week Supreme Court trial opened in May 2024 before Justice Michael Croucher. Prosecutor Daniel Porceddu KC alleged Lynn murdered both campers, then torched their remains to erase evidence.
The 12-gauge Barathrum Arms S/P-12 semi-automatic shotgun used to kill Clay was shown to the jury by ballistics expert Paul Griffiths, who testified it could not fire without a deliberate trigger pull.
Defence lawyer Dermot Dann KC countered that Hill grabbed the shotgun, which discharged through the LandCruiser mirror, killing Clay instantly. Hill then died in a subsequent knife struggle. Lynn offered to plead guilty to destroying evidence, but prosecutors refused.
Throughout the trial, Justice Croucher repeatedly warned the prosecution to “stay within the rules” after fairness breaches. These warnings would later form the backbone of the appeal.
After seven days of jury deliberation (17–24 June 2024), the verdict was split:
- Guilty of murdering Carol Clay
- Not guilty of murdering Russell Hill
Hill’s wife Robyn and daughter Debbie attended the sentencing phase, visibly emotional as the verdict was delivered.
Sentencing – October 2024
In October 2024, Justice Croucher sentenced Greg Lynn to 32 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 24 years, making him eligible for release in 2045 at age 79.
The judge described the crime as:
“A violent, brutal, horrific death, with a weapon designed to kill.”
He accepted that Clay likely died instantly and said the motive was unclear but “she may have been killed because she witnessed Hill’s death.”
Victim impact statements from Clay’s family spoke of “immeasurable hurt” & the 20 months of anguish before the remains were found. Hill’s relatives submitted a short statement requesting privacy.
Lynn’s letter to the court read:
“I am disappointed & perplexed by the verdict as I have not killed anyone … I don’t ask for forgiveness; I am simply sorry for what I have done.”
He apologised to his family, Jetstar colleagues & the victims’ families for the “pain, shame, and suffering” caused by his conduct.
Greg Lynn’s Appeal Filing – November 2024
On 18 November 2024, Lynn formally lodged an appeal, registered the following day. He also requested an extension of time, accepted by the court registry.
The appeal cited five grounds:
- Crown prosecutor Porceddu KC made unfair closing remarks never put to Lynn during cross-examination.
- Ballistics expert Paul Griffiths exceeded his qualifications.
- DNA expert Mark Gellatly introduced conclusions outside his expertise.
- The jury followed an impermissible pathway to reach guilt.
- The verdict was unsafe and unsatisfactory & the sentence manifestly excessive.
Lynn asked to be present for all oral hearings, insisting he had been denied a fair trial.
July 2025 – Appeal Date Confirmed
The Court of Appeal confirmed the combined conviction & sentence appeal for 31 October 2025 before Justices Karin Emerton, Phillip Priest & Peter Kidd.
Detective Sergeant Brett Florence, who led the original investigation, attended. Media lawyers simultaneously challenged the 2023 suppression order & by this stage, nearly all background details were unsealed.
Greg Lynn Appeal Hearing – 31 October 2025
Greg Lynn arrived at the Melbourne Court of Appeal in a prison van, entering via a side door under guard. Dressed in a dark suit, mauve shirt,& striped tie, he smiled briefly as his handcuffs were removed.
Defence barrister Dermot Dann KC accused prosecutor Porceddu of committing 17 breaches of fairness, arguing he “chickened out” of direct questioning and “went mad” during closing arguments.
“The number and significance of breaches are in a territory likely never to be seen again,” Dann said.
He added that Justice Croucher himself had been ‘wincing & flabbergasted’ during parts of the cross-examination.
Prosecution response: DPP Brendan Kissane KC maintained any departures from fairness were cured by the judge’s corrective directions, which he described as “favourable to the accused in the extreme.”
Judicial commentary:
- Justice Phillip Priest labelled parts of Porceddu’s trial conduct “a disgrace.”
- Justice Peter Kidd questioned why the defence hadn’t sought a jury discharge, suggesting they may have “rolled the dice.”
- Justice Emerton emphasised the need to assess whether directions fully mitigated the damage.
The hearing adjourned for further written submissions on 6 November 2025, with judgment reserved for early 2026.
What’s Next for Greg Lynn
If successful, Lynn’s conviction could be quashed or sent back for retrial. His legal team has also signalled a possible stay application to seek temporary release pending retrial.
If the appeal fails, Lynn will remain in custody until at least 2045.
If a retrial proceeds, new media restrictions are likely to ensure juror impartiality. Lynn cannot be retried for Russell Hill’s death, having been acquitted in 2024.
Key Takeaways from the Greg Lynn Case
- Highlights deep issues in prosecutorial conduct & expert evidence in Victorian trials.
- Marks a pivotal test of jury reasoning & fair-trial safeguards.
- Justice Michael Croucher’s warnings & the Court of Appeal’s eventual ruling may set a precedent for similar high-profile cases.
The 2026 decision will decide whether Greg Lynn’s High Country murder conviction stands — or if Victoria’s justice system must reopen one of its most haunting rural mysteries.
Conclusion
The Greg Lynn case stands at the intersection of human tragedy & judicial scrutiny. What began as a mystery deep in Victoria’s High Country evolved into a defining legal battle over fairness, evidence & process.
Beyond the courtroom, the case exposes the emotional toll on families still haunted by loss & the public’s unease about how justice is delivered in complex, circumstantial trials.
As the Court of Appeal deliberates its 2026 verdict, one question remains at the heart of this saga:
Did Greg Lynn receive a fair trial, or will Australia witness one of its most controversial murder convictions overturned?
Whatever the outcome, the case will remain a benchmark in Australian criminal law, shaping how courts balance prosecutorial power, expert testimony & the fragile line between guilt & doubt.
FAQ’S
What’s happening with Greg Lynn?
Greg Lynn is appealing his conviction & 32-year prison sentence for murdering camper Carol Clay in Victoria’s High Country. The Court of Appeal’s decision is expected in 2026.
How long was Greg Lynn sentenced for?
He was sentenced to 32 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 24 years, making him eligible for release in 2045 at age 79.
What happened to Greg Lynn’s first wife?
Greg Lynn’s first wife, Lisa, died by suicide years before his 2021 arrest. He later remarried Melanie Lynn, a flight attendant.
What are some critiques of Greg Lynn’s work?
Critics argue his trial was marred by prosecutorial misconduct, unfair questioning & unsafe jury reasoning, which now form the basis of his appeal.
What is Greg Lynn’s most famous project?
He is not known for a professional project-his public notoriety stems from the Wonnangatta Valley double-murder case, one of Australia’s most followed criminal trials.
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