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Families of murdered campers finally break silence after Greg Lynn verdict

<p>The families of Russell Hill and Carol Clay have issued an emotional statement following the shocking <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/shocking-verdict-in-trial-of-murdered-campers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">verdict</a> in the murder trial against former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn. </p> <p>On Tuesday, the jury found Lynn guilty of murdering Carol Clay in March 2020, but was found innocent on charges of murdering Russell Hill. </p> <p>The jury came to their shocking split decision after seven days of deliberation following the five-week trial. </p> <p>After the jury made their decision, the families of the two late campers issued an emotional statement. </p> <p>“Russell Hill and Carol Clay’s families are both relieved and devastated at the verdicts in the trial of Gregory Lynn,” a joint statement from the pair’s loved ones said.</p> <p>“We thank the jury for their verdict of guilty in the murder of Carol Clay. It was an extremely difficult task given that the accused destroyed so much evidence."</p> <p>“The verdict of not guilty in relation to the murder Russell Hill is devastating. There was not enough evidence to be sure of how he died.”</p> <p>The families said they understood the prosecution had an “enormous job putting a case together with limited evidence”.</p> <p>“The accused was the only person who saw and experienced what happened,” loved one said.</p> <p>“He was also the only person who emerged alive.”</p> <p>The statement thanked Victoria Police and its missing persons squad for their hard work in the case, volunteers who spent weeks searching for their loved ones, and Hill and Clay’s friends and family for their “support throughout this harrowing experience”.</p> <p>“We are heartbroken at the loss of our loved ones. It will take time to absorb the verdicts, put this behind us and set about healing and getting on with our lives,” the family said.</p> <p>Victoria police assistant commissioner Martin O’Brien said the Hill and Clay families had endured a difficult four years.</p> <p>“Their courage and resilience in the face of their grief, amidst enormous public attention, has been nothing short of extraordinary,” O’Brien said.</p> <p>“We will continue to support them in every way possible following this decision.”</p> <p>Throughout the trial, Lynn maintained his innocence, saying he did not kill the two campers, but admitted <span style="caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">to destroying their bodies and the crime scene. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; background-color: #ffffff;">However, both prosecutors said he killed both of the campers intentionally and then tried to cover up his crimes. </span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Color Emoji;"><span style="caret-color: #212529;">Following the jury's verdict on Tuesday,</span></span></span><span style="caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;"> Lynn was taken back to prison where he awaits his sentence.</span></p> <p><em><span style="caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Image credits: Victoria Police</span></em></p>

Caring

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Shocking verdict in trial of murdered campers

<p>The jury have been split during Greg Lynn's trial, where he was accused of murdering campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill in March 2020. </p> <p>The 57-year-old faced a five-week trial in the Supreme Court, in which he pleaded not guilty to both counts of murder.</p> <p>During the trial, Lynn said the deaths were accidental, and admitted to destroying their bodies and the crime scene. </p> <p>However, both prosecutors said he killed both of the campers intentionally and then tried to cover up his crimes. </p> <p>The 12 jurors began their deliberation on June 17th and emerged seven days later with a shocking verdict. </p> <p>Lynn was found guilty of the murder of Carol Clay but found innocent of killing Russell Hill in a startling decision. </p> <p>When asked for a verdict on Hill's murder, the jury's foreperson told the court today "not guilty", and when asked about the murder of Clay, the foreperson replied "guilty".</p> <p>Lynn was physically shocked by the verdict, raising his eyebrows and remaining silent after the two verdicts were read aloud.</p> <p>Justice Michael Croucher dismissed the jury before Lynn was taken back to prison, where he will await his sentence.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine</em></p>

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Police finally reveal motive behind murder of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay

<p>Police have alleged that the two secret lover campers, Russel Hill and Carol Clay, were "childhood sweethearts" who had started their affair 15 years ago.</p> <p>In a summary of the case against Gregory Lynn, who allegedly killed the pair, police believe that Mr Hill and Ms Clay had rekindled their romance 15 years prior, and would go on regular camping trips to "spend time together".</p> <p>The pair allegedly drifted apart and had children with other partners, according to the documents provided to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.</p> <p>Mr Hill was married to another woman for 51 years, and according to the police facts provided to the court, his wife believed that he had gone camping alone.</p> <p>“Those close to them believe that they kept their relationship a secret to spare Hill’s family from distress,” the police statement read.</p> <p>The pair had gone camping in Wonnangatta Valley on March 19 2020, and they vanished sometime after 6 pm the next day.</p> <p>Police alleged that Mr Lynn killed the pair after an altercation over a drone, with Mr Hill fatally stabbed and Ms Clay shot in the head.</p> <p>Police also believed that he returned to the area in May and November 2020 to try and "destroy" evidence by setting the pair's remains on fire.</p> <p>Their bodies were buried around 40km from the campsite in Dargo on November 2021.</p> <p>Mr Lynn was in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this week for a committal hearing to decide whether there is enough evidence for him to stand trial in the Supreme Court.</p> <p><em>Images: Victoria Police</em></p>

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Man’s huge legal debacle after mother dies in retirement village

<p dir="ltr">Heartbroken Aussies who have lost a family member at retirement villages have been left fuming after being slapped with hidden fees. </p> <p dir="ltr">Gerard Grant lost his mother Dulcie almost two years ago and grieved her death, hoping her affairs would be a simple process. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Grant decided to lease the unit that his mother had been staying at for 15 years when he was shocked to find that he would instead be faced with a $55,000 bill for renovations. </p> <p dir="ltr">"It was listing everything from changing over toilets, to door handles, to electrical work," he told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/aussies-warn-about-retirement-village-exit-fees/2c9a556c-c0ae-479b-be91-e33065392676" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Current Affair.</a> </p> <p dir="ltr">"It was basically gutting the entire unit and installing everything brand new, which, in our view, was incredibly unreasonable and unwarranted, an absolute waste of money.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Grant was not having any of it and challenged the retirement village, which is now run by Centennial Living, who then lawyered up. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lawyers sent Mr Grant letters of demand to settle the sale of the lease which should see the family pocket a huge $500,000.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the lawyers argued that the retirement village was entitled to the $55,000 for refurbishments. </p> <p dir="ltr">It was then that Mr Grant suspected that his mother’s unit was not empty, so he called the landline and a woman called telling him that she had moved in. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Grant told the woman that she shouldn’t be there because they haven’t yet given over the certificate for the lease.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ian Henschke, the chief advocate for National Seniors Australia, noted it was important for families to understand what they were getting into with retirement villages. </p> <p dir="ltr">"A lot of people don't realise is what they're often doing is simply buying a lease on the property. They don't own it," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">He warned that families are left with costs and exit fees they never expected due to the complicated contract. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Henschke said it was up to the state governments to make it an easier process stating it was not fair on older citizens. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: A Current Affair </em></p>

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Search for missing campers unearths tragic allegations

<p>New evidence suggests that the bodies believed to be that of missing campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill may have allegedly been burned before they were buried. </p> <p>According to reports from the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au" target="_blank">Herald Sun</a>, the pair of bodies allegedly may have been set on fire within metres of where the remains were found in dense bushland in the remote area of East Gippsland in Victoria. </p> <p>On November 30th, human remains were uncovered in the <span>Grants Historical Area near the remote town of Dargo, 320km northeast of Melbourne.</span></p> <p><span>The discovery was made almost two years after Carol and Russell went missing. </span></p> <p><span>The remains have yet to be formally identified, with DNA testing results expected to take some time. </span></p> <p><span>Detectives from the missing persons squad combed through the scene </span>meticulously last week, using the same methods and relying on the same arson chemist who originally examined <span>Mr Hill and Ms Clay’s campsite when they disappeared in 2020.</span></p> <p><span>Police are currently waiting for the forensic </span>testing results of a Nissan Patrol vehicle that was recently seized during the investigation. </p> <p>Victoria Police are also searching for a trailer that was resold on Gumtree, which may assist the investigation. </p> <p>Russell Hill and Carol Clay were last heard from on March 20th 2020 when they embarked on their camping trip. </p> <p>Days later, campers found Russell's car that had been destroyed by fire near the campsite. </p> <p>A 55-year-old Caroline Springs man, Greg Lynn, has been charged with two counts of murder. </p> <p>Mr Lynn remains in police custody and is expected to face court on May 31th next year.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Victoria Police</em></p>

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BREAKING: Bodies found in search for missing Vic campers

<p dir="ltr">Police searching for the remains of missing Victorian campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay have found human remains in bushland near Dargo, in Victoria’s High Country.</p> <p dir="ltr">They are yet to be formally identified.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/man-arrested-over-missing-campers" target="_blank">Last week</a>, police had arrested a 55-year-old Caroline Springs man and were interviewing him in relation to the pair’s disappearance, although no formal charges had been laid. The man, revealed to be Jetstar pilot<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/suspect-named-in-missing-campers-arrest" target="_blank">Greg Lynn</a>, was stood down following his arrest.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair, who it has been revealed were having an<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/it-was-a-shock-affair-between-missing-campers-confirmed" target="_blank">affair</a>, were last seen at a remote Wonnangatta campsite on March 20<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/police-make-major-breakthrough-in-search-for-missing-victorian-campers" target="_blank">last year</a>. Their campsite at Dry River Creek Track was discovered burnt out, and Hill’s abandoned Toyota Landcruiser was located nearby.<br />Ms Clay’s sister Jill revealed the relationship to<span> </span><em>60 Minutes,<span> </span></em>saying, “They had to keep it secret, and in some ways, I feel that that’s why they went to such a remote place.” Neither Mr Hill’s wife nor his daughters were aware of the relationship between him and Ms Clay, with his daughters telling the program, “It was a shock when the police mentioned something about, do we know a Carol? But that was the first we knew about it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We didn’t know anything about him and Carol being together.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Authorities revealed that charred camping chairs, a burnt-out battery, and a bucket used for Hill’s gas canister were located inside the pair’s tent, which had also been burnt. They believe it’s unlikely that these items would have been put there by the missing pair. “It certainly builds that picture for us that potentially someone was trying to cover their tracks,” Victoria Police Detective Inspector Andrew Stampers told<span> </span><em>60 Minutes.</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Victoria Police</em></p>

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"Incredible shock": Outpouring after murder charges finally laid

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A man arrested over the disappearance of Victorian campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay has been charged with two counts of murder.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After three days of questioning, police confirmed they had charged 55-year-old pilot Gregory Lynn on Thursday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Victorian Police Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill said the investigation was ongoing, and that police would continue to search for Mr Hill and Ms Clay’s remains.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Police are hopeful that we will be able to locate the deceased and provide ultimate closure to the families,” he </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-25/greg-lynn-charged-with-murder-of-russell-hill-and-carol-clay/100647508" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said on Thursday</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My heartfelt thoughts are with both the Hill and Clay families.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Lynn </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/man-arrested-over-missing-campers" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">was arrested</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> at a campsite on Monday afternoon by special operations officers, before being questioned by detectives on Tuesday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Clay’s sister, Jill Walker, said she welcomed the arrest, which occurred 55 kilometres from where Ms Clay and Mr Hill disappeared.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Clay and Mr Hill were last heard from in March last year, after the pair travelled to a campsite in Wonnangatta Valley.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We’ve been holding this together for 20 months now … 20 months is a long time,” she told </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/crime-melbourne/man-charged-with-two-counts-of-murder-over-missing-victorian-wonnangatta-camper-disappearance-c-4682123" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">7NEWS</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s been an incredible shock and because it’s been such a mystery, it’s been a bit unfathomable.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police have also seized Mr Lynn’s Nissan Patrol for forensic testing, and are appealing for information about the whereabouts of a blue trailer that was attached.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Assistant commissioner Hill said it was believed that the trailer had been sold online via Gumtree.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jetstar Airways, Mr Lynn’s employer, confirmed that </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/suspect-named-in-missing-campers-arrest" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">he had been <em>suspended</em></span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> following his arrest. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He is due to face Sale Magistrates Court in Gippsland on Friday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">UPDATE:</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After appearing in front of the court via video link, Mr Lynn has been remanded in custody.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Lynn said nothing during the hearing, which ran for just a few minutes, and he didn’t apply for bail.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He is due to return to court on May 31, 2022, with police requesting time to prepare their evidence against him.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The dates are probably elongated because it’s a fairly substantial investigation,” Mr Lynn’s lawyer, Chris McLennan, </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/melbourne/pilot-greg-lynn-charged-with-murder-of-missing-campers-fronts-sale-court-via-video-link-c-4708795" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">told</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> the court via video link.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Melanie Lynn, Mr Lynn’s wife, also appeared on the video link with her camera off.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The hearing comes as police begin searching Victoria’s Great Alpine region for the remains of the campers, after establishing a crime scene in the area on Thursday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Assistant Commissioner Hill said the investigation was “far from over”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He appealed for information about the missing trailer formerly attached to the seized vehicle, and said it was sold on Gumtree between March and July 2020.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: Victorian Police, Facebook</span></em></p>

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Suspect named in missing campers arrest

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A man </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/man-arrested-over-missing-campers" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">arrested earlier this week</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> over the disappearance of Victorian campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill has been identified as Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 55-year-old from Caroline Springs, in Melbourne’s west, was arrested on Monday afternoon by special operations officers at a campsite near Arbuckle Junction, 166 kilometres east of Melbourne.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No charges have been laid against him as he continues to be questioned by police.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jetstar has confirmed that the pilot had been stood down following his arrest.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Jetstar has been advised by Victoria Police that one of its employees is under investigation for a serious crime and will work to assist in this due process in any way we can,” a spokesperson </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/man-arrested-over-mysterious-disappearance-of-missing-victorian-campers-russell-hill-carol-clay/4f49420d-5d0d-41fc-8f8f-825086c6a3f7" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As a matter of course, the employee has been removed from duty as a result of their arrest.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Authorities have alleged that the dark blue Nissan Patrol they have been searching for - and have since seized - belongs to Mr Lynn.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845854/car-lynn.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/57bd994d209c4e57a02c03c743a53008" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">A car has been seized in the investigation into Russell and Carol’s disappearance. Image: Nine</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police allege Mr Lynn changed the colour of the seized vehicle to avoid being found by police, after they </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/huge-new-clue-in-search-for-missing-campers" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">released specific details</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> about the car’s colour, model, and time period it was made last week.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, the trailer believed to be attached to the vehicle at the time of the disappearance is yet to be located.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad have arrested a man as part of the investigation into missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay,” police said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The investigation into the matter remains ongoing.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Clay’s sister Jill broke her silence following Mr Lynn’s arrest, saying she hoped his arrest would provide some answers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Emotionally, it’s brought up everything during that time - a lot of grief and pain. We haven’t known how, we haven’t known why, they just vanished,” she told </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nine News</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Now all of a sudden there’s a glimmer and we might get some answers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It would be such a relief to have those answers, to have a memorial for Carol and Russell.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Facebook</span></em></p>

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Man arrested over missing campers

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A man has been arrested in relation to the disappearance of Victorian campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Victoria Police </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-23/man-arrested-victorian-missing-campers-russell-hill-carol-clay/100642224" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in a statement that detectives arrested a 55-year-old man from Caroline Springs on Monday afternoon and were interviewing him on Tuesday morning.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No charges have been laid.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad have arrested a man as part of the investigation into missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay,” police said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The investigation into the matter remains ongoing and further information will be released when operationally appropriate to do so.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Hill, 74, and Ms Clay, 73, disappeared while camping in the Wonnangatta Valley in north-eastern Victoria last year. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The arrest comes a week after </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/huge-new-clue-in-search-for-missing-campers" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">police released new details</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> about the case and said they wished to speak to the driver of a vehicle spotted near Mr Hill and Ms Clay’s campsite.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper previously </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/man-arrested-over-mysterious-disappearance-of-missing-victorian-campers-russell-hill-carol-clay/4f49420d-5d0d-41fc-8f8f-825086c6a3f7" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> a person may have been camping nearby to the pair, since they weren’t camping on the best spot on-site. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police believe the couple may have had an altercation with said person at the campsite.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Their campsite was found burnt-out on March 21, and Mr Hill’s vehicle had also been damaged by fire.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A DJI Mavic drone purchased by Mr Hill before the trip is also yet to be recovered.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Detectives have also made repeated appeals to the public for information relating to the pair’s disappearance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last month, hundreds of people provided authorities with information or assistance in the investigation, police said.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: Victoria Police</span></em></p>

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Huge new clue in search for missing campers

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">New clues have emerged in the case of missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay in relation to a specific vehicle police believe could crack the case.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Hill, 74, and Ms Clay, 73, disappeared while camping in Wonnangatta Valley, Victoria, in March 2020.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last week, police </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/police-make-major-breakthrough-in-search-for-missing-victorian-campers" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">released information</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> about a vehicle spotted near the campsite around the time of the pair’s disappearance that could be vital in their investigations. According to </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/missing-person/missing-wonnangatta-camper-case-new-key-clue-as-more-car-details-revealed-by-police-c-4559804" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">7NEWS</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, more details are now known about the vehicle.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 276.1538461538462px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845615/253bc47108aad4b750bfeac0c51e60b0b6e2433a.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2f0be3d1abd14e6e93b2946ddb1846a2" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: 7NEWS</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The car is a blue ‘GU’ model Nissan Patrol wagon, and the five-door car is a Series 1 which would have been built between 1997 and 2001.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But the biggest clue to help narrow down the search is that the car has an awning on one side with the name “KINGS” on it, as well as a PVC water pipe attached to the driver’s side.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 264.61538461538464px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845616/66fe1f8fcaa9780c71f2702115d7046a189583a5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/68f49608ac474ba9bf6d541d035ec9c1" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: 7NEWS</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police have said they want to speak to the driver or anyone who may have seen the vehicle at the time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We can’t eliminate this vehicle. The person driving this vehicle is a person of interest,” Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said last week.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police also released images of charred items that were found inside the campers’ burnt-out tent, with authorities believing it unlikely that they would have put the items there.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The only reason we can assume that Russell didn’t camp in the best spot, was potentially there was somebody already there,” Detective Stamper said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There’s been some sort of argument and maybe it’s escalated from there.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s a theory, but it’s probably the best theory we’ve got at the moment.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Victoria Police</span></em></p>

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“It was a shock”: Affair between missing campers confirmed

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The sister of Carol Clay - who went missing along with Russell Hill - has spoken out about the secret affair between the pair.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She revealed that Ms Clay and Mr Hill had taken multiple trips together to remote campsites prior to the disappearance last year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Clay’s sister Jill shared what she knew about the relationship during an interview with </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">60 Minutes</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> over the weekend.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I knew that she was going camping, not just on that occasion, but on other occasions,” Jill </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/affair-between-missing-campers-confirmed-in-bombshell-interview/news-story/bd33d5e64fc93b511065db574982ce30" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“And I knew that she was having the relationships and that they were doing these trips.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845438/clay-russell4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/358a4d311d4d42f29fea9709552fad2b" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Clay’s sister, Jill, calls on anyone with information to come forward. Image: 60 Minutes</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“They had to keep it secret, and in some ways, I feel that that’s why they went to such a remote place.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It appeared that the relationship occurred without Mr Hill’s wife, Robyn, having any knowledge of it until his disappearance was investigated.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Hill’s daughters were just as unaware of any relationship between them</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It was a shock when the police mentioned something about, do we know a Carol? But that was the first we knew about it,” Colleen, one of Mr Hill’s daughters, told the program.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We didn’t know anything about him and Carol being together.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sisters Colleen and Carol agreed that knowing their dad wasn’t alone when he disappeared was of some comfort, but that their mum was struggling with the news.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845439/clay-russell5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4d8ded169b2c499da4b77eaac6ce9c46" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Hill’s daughters, Colleen (left) and Debbie (right). Image: 60 Minutes</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s been really hard on mum. Not only losing her husband, but also all the talk about Carol, and so she’s got both, she’s lost her husband and she’s grieving the loss of her relationship,” Colleen said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s been very hard for her to get through both.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Clay’s sister said it was an “extremely difficult” topic to talk about, and that she felt “very sorry (for) Robyn”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Because she found out two things at one time. One that Russell was missing and two, he was camping with someone else.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Hill and Ms Clay were last seen on March 20, 2020, and police have conducted extensive searches since.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper believes the bodies of Mr Hill, 74, and Ms Clay, 73, are still within Wonnangatta Valley.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Sunday, police released an image of a blue mid-late 1990s Nissan Patrol towing a trailer that they believe could be crucial in discovering what happened to the couple.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inspector Stamper </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/search-for-russell-hill-and-carol-clay-four-wheel-drive-and-trailer-could-be-the-key-in-the-search-for-missing-victorian-campers/de8db0a2-4ce8-43dd-9d26-48d779e6afa1" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> witness statements placed the vehicle in Wonnangatta Valley - and near the campsite - at the same time as Ms Clay and Mr Hill.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police are calling for the driver or any witnesses who may have seen the vehicle to come forward and speak with them.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Victoria Police</span></em></p>

Relationships

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Allison Baden-Clay's parents urge people to speak up against domestic violence

<p><span>The parents of domestic violence murder victim Allison Baden-Clay are urging people to speak up and intervene in abusive relationships before it's too late.</span></p> <p><span>Allison's parents, Geoff and Priscilla Dickie, opened up about their regret at not doing more to help their daughter and urged others to act on warning signs. </span></p> <p><span>"As a society we are told to mind our own business and not intrude in other people's affairs and in a domestic violence situation this can make it hard to determine what to do," Mr Dickie said.</span></p> <p><span>Allison was killed by her husband Gerard in 2012 in what has become one of Australia's most high-profile cases of domestic violence.</span></p> <p><span>He was convicted of the mother-of-three’s murder in 2014 and is currently serving a life sentence.</span></p> <p><img width="482" height="272" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/e19d7106941331640e852a3c7f90a4b6" alt="Allison Baden-Clay's parents Geoff and Priscilla Dickie say they wish they had done more to help their daughter before she was murdered. Picture: Liam Kidston." style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p> </p> <p><span>Allison’s parents spoke about how they were gradually cut off from their daughter in the months prior to her murder.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span>"We knew Allison was strong and we thought, 'this is going to work out without our interference' so we didn't interfere, and we thought it'd work out but apparently it didn't," Mr Dickie said.</span></p> <p><span>Mrs Dickie said they tried to raise concerns with Allison, but their son-in-law would tell them to “butt out”. </span></p> <p><span>"We feared that anything might happen to her if we interfered — that he would take it out on her or the girls, that was our main worry," she said.</span></p> <p><span>"I think she was very frightened of him — he was a very dominating man. He ruled the roost, regardless."</span></p> <p><span>Mr Dicke added: "At the time we approached Allison and attempted to discuss her situation in the best way we knew how, with the limited knowledge we had at the time.</span></p> <p><span>"Allison, being a strong and determined person, didn't want us to worry."</span></p> <p><span>The Dickies hope that by sharing their daughter’s experience they would help other domestic violence victims.</span></p> <p><span>"In Allison's case, there were three main signs that were noticed over time: gradual isolation, control of finances and reduction in level of self-esteem," he said.</span></p> <p><span>"They are just three signs of many in which little things happened over a length of time that can be easily overlooked.</span></p> <p><span>"Often domestic violence is stereotyped, but we've all come to realise it can happen to anyone in any form of life.</span></p> <p><span>"Allison was a highly educated and generous woman, and it is important to our family that Allison's legacy is a positive one and that by sharing her story she may help others."</span></p> <p><span>The Dickies and Allison's sister, Vanessa Fowler, are partnering with Griffith University as part of its MATE Bystander program, aimed at teaching the corporate sector how to identify and handle abusive relationships.</span></p> <p><span>"Some people are educated not to intervene in what seems like private situations so a lot of people have pluralistic ignorance or they don't know what to do or they have fear of making things more difficult," Griffith University Professor Paul Mazzerolle said.</span></p> <p><span>"We all have a role to play as bystanders, we can all have an impact."</span></p>

News

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Accused pedophile’s legal bills paid for by Australian taxpayers

<p>A Melbourne man accused of raping and murdering a 12-year-old girl in the Philippines has received $500,000 of Australian taxpayer money for his legal bills.</p> <p>Peter Gerard Scully – who has been charged with 75 offences, including abduction, rape, and murder, as well as allegedly making child exploitation and torture videos of babies and toddlers – has been given the half a million dollars for legal aid under a federal government program, reports The Australian. He has denied all charges.</p> <p>The Serious Criminal Matters Scheme provides legal funding for Australians facing serious charges overseas. It is only available to Australians facing more than 20 years imprisonment or the death penalty and who cannot afford the costs of a lawyer.</p> <p>Notable past recipients include Schapelle Corby, Cassie Sainsbury, David Hicks and Bali Nine members Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan.</p> <p>Attorney-General Christian Porter said the decision to fund Scully's legal defence was made when his predecessor George Brandis was in charge.</p> <p>"I had already asked my department for information on the scheme, including this particular case, with a view to considering changes to the scheme, so that persons in circumstances similar to Mr Scully, or those with histories of sexual offending and ¬relevant convictions, would no longer be eligible," he told <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/2018/03/13/06/53/peter-scully-accused-pedophile-legal-bills-footed-by-australian-taxpayers" target="_blank">Nine News</a>.</strong></span></p> <p>Scully is believed to have left Australia for the Philippines in 2011, fleeing from fraud charges in Victoria.</p> <p>When he was arrested in the Philippines, two teenage girls were allegedly found naked and shackled in another of his apartments.</p> <p>Scully's alleged crimes were so gruesome that Philippines prosecutors pushed to reinstate the death penalty. Although capital punishment has been restored for serious drug offenders in the nation, Scully will not face execution.</p> <p>It took a global manhunt of Dutch, Australian and Filipino police to track down Scully in 2015 after an Australian accent was recognised in one of the abuse videos.</p>

Money & Banking

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Allison Baden-Clay’s daughters make first public appearance to honour mum

<p>Allison Baden-Clay’s two eldest daughters have made their first public appearance to award a young ballerina a scholarship in their slain mother’s name.</p> <p>Hannah, 16, and Sarah, 14, accompanied by their grandparents, Geoff and Priscilla Dickie, and aunt Vanessa Fowler, presented the award to Brisbane dance student Taji Hennessy.</p> <p>Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she hoped the $5000 scholarship would help Taji achieve her dream of becoming a professional ballerina.</p> <p>“Last year my government established the Allison Baden-Clay senior program scholarship which honours the memory of Allison and supports young dancers from Queensland Ballet Dance Academy to pursue their dance dreams,” she said.</p> <p>“I announced the scholarship in July, on Strive to be Kind day, the annual day held by the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation, to commemorate Allison and to raise awareness of domestic and family violence and the need for respectful relationships.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/qldballet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QldBallet</a> Academy student Taji is the inaugural recipient of the $5000 Allison Baden-Clay Senior Program Scholarship. <br /><br />This new scholarship pays tribute to Allison’s love of dance and highlights the importance of nurturing our young people and developing their full potential. <a href="https://t.co/bZEmvu71QK">pic.twitter.com/bZEmvu71QK</a></p> — AnnastaciaPalaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/972289490990460928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Allison was murdered by her husband Gerard in 2012. He is currently serving a life sentence.</p> <p>It is understood that Gerard has had no contact with his daughters for years.</p> <p>Allison’s sister, Vanessa, gave a heartfelt speech at the presentation honouring the legacy of Allison.</p> <p>“Today is an exciting day as we see my sister and her legacy live on,” she said.</p> <p>“She’s assisting a young dancer to pursue her dream and strive to be the best that she can be. It’s on occasions like this that my family reflect on Allison’s achievements and celebrate her successes. She was an amazing woman and one that was, and still is, an inspiration to many.</p> <p>“Allison was born to dance and excelled at it by the age of four. She had that spark, that bright smile, the soft arms and pointed feet and she filled the stage. Allison was the ever-feminine ballet dancer with spirited stage presence.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Allison Baden-Clay's beautiful daughters, Sarah and Hannah, looking happy and healthy at the Queensland Ballet Studios where a scholarship was given in their mother's name. <a href="https://twitter.com/couriermail?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@couriermail</a> <a href="https://t.co/2vd453MsiD">pic.twitter.com/2vd453MsiD</a></p> — Kate Kyriacou (@KateKyriacou) <a href="https://twitter.com/KateKyriacou/status/972286522975141888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Scholarship recipient Taji said she was honoured to be the first person awarded the scholarship.</p> <p>“It’s amazing, I’m so grateful,” she said. “It’s my passion.”</p> <p>The Allison Baden-Clay scholarship will be awarded to a young dancer each year until 2020.</p>

News

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“He’s a model prisoner”: Inside Gerard Baden-Clay’s life in prison

<p>Convicted killer Gerard Baden-Clay is a “model” prisoner, who keeps a low profile and schmoozes prison officers, an anonymous source told <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/crime-and-justice/gerard-badenclay-a-model-prisoner-as-he-serves-life-sentence-for-murdering-wife-allison/news-story/66dde69274b239cbe67c9811fd986e5b">The Courier Mail.</a></span></strong></p> <p>Baden-Clay’s good behaviour has reportedly earned him extra privileges, including extra “buy-ups” at the prison canteen and possibly an extra weekly visit, sources revealed to the publication.</p> <p>“He does everything he is asked to do,” a source said. “When he approaches you he says: ‘Excuse me, officer.’ He is very polite.</p> <p>“He is not demanding. It’s just his nature, I think. He’s a conman.”</p> <p>Baden-Clay, who was convicted of the 2012 murder of his wife Allison, is serving a life sentence in Brisbane’s Wolston Prison with hundreds of other killers and the state’s worst sex offenders, including aniel Morcombe killer Brett Cowan. </p> <p>He reportedly has kept out of trouble and stays close to a close circle of friends.</p> <p>A source said Baden-Clay, 47, had a job in prison industries and “you never hear from him”.</p> <p>“If they don’t have breaches, they get an extra visit, extra things on their buy-up,” the source said.</p> <p>“Same with [Daniel Morcombe killer] Brett Cowan, you never hear from him. They don’t want to be known around the general population.</p> <p>Prisoners can buy toiletries, food and snacks such as chips and chocolate from the canteen.</p> <p>But it is unclear who Baden-Clay would use an extra visit for as he has been banned from having any contact with his three daughters.  </p> <p>If Baden-Clay’s good behaviour continues, the source told the paper the father-of-three could be upgraded to the residential section of the jail, which is far more comfortable than his current cell, in the coming years.</p> <p>A Queensland Corrective Services spokesman said he was unable to comment about individual prisoners but said Wolston operated an Incentives and Enhancements Program (IEP) that applied to all prisoners.</p> <p>The program allows prisoners to work through levels to receive increased access to buy-up arrangements.</p> <p>“The underlying purpose of any IEPs is to address negative behaviour and improve staff safety by establishing a prison environment with increased control measures for prisoners with restricted privileges,” the spokesman said.</p> <p>“Processes are also in place for managing breaches of discipline while in custody.”</p>

Mind

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Allison Baden-Clay's parents shattered after memorial vandalised

<p>A memorial for mother-of-three Allison Baden-Clay, who was murdered by her husband Gerard Baden-Clay, has been vandalised.</p> <p>Allison’s parents Geoff and Priscilla Dickie are appalled at the incident and reported the damage to police.</p> <p>“We were disappointed and upset about someone interfering with it. We think it’s a bit disrespectful to damage a memorial,” Mr Dickie told The Courier-Mail.</p> <p>A metal plaque engraved with Allison’s name and a tribute was forcibly removed from the sandstone structure and found on the ground.</p> <p>The memorial sits on Mount Crosby Road in Anstead, near where Allison’s body was discovered in 2012.</p> <p><img width="453" height="255" src="http://prod.static9.net.au/_/media/2017/10/04/06/54/171004_NEWS_BADENCLAY_4.jpg" alt="A plaque from the memorial was found on the ground. (9NEWS)" class="article__image" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Mrs Dickie pleaded for Allison’s tribute to be left alone as the memorial is important for her daughter’s three girls, who were five, eight and 10 when their mother was murdered in April 2012.</p> <p>“It’s a marking stone for them in the future, when we’re gone, that this is where their mother was found,” she said.</p> <p>The plaque includes the message, “A loving mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, wife, and dear friend to all who knew her – forever in our hearts”.</p> <p>Police said they were searching for the vandal, with one officer saying, “If the person who damaged it is found, they will certainly be charged.”</p> <p>The Dickies visit the memorial often to reflect on their daughter’s life and tragic death.</p> <p>The plaque is being cleaned and restored and will return to its original position.</p> <p>Gerard Baden-Clay was convicted of Allison's murder and sentenced to life behind bars in 2014.</p>

Legal

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Allison Baden-Clay’s parents call on Australians to strive to be kind

<p>The parents of Allison Baden-Clay are encouraging Australians to strive to be kind in honour of their daughter, five years after she was murdered by her husband.</p> <p>Allison’s family and friends are calling on Queenslanders – and Australians – to perform random acts of kindness and speak out against violence throughout July in memory of the mother-of-three.</p> <p>Allison’s parents Priscilla and Geoff Dickie launched the sixth annual anti-domestic and family violence campaign Strive To Be Kind on June 30, the day before what would have been their daughter’s 49th birthday.</p> <p><img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39928/allison-parents_497x280.jpg" alt="Image_ (2)"/></p> <p>Allison’s body was found on a creek bank 13km from her home on April 20, 2012. Her husband Gerard, who reported her missing, was later found guilty of killing his wife.</p> <p>“We hope that this campaign will plant the seed of respect, tolerance and empathy,” her sister Vanessa Fowler said, who now finds herself educating the public about domestic violence, on behalf of the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation.</p> <p>Priscilla and Geoff hoped the campaign would help spread positivity throughout the community and ensure their daughter’s memory will live on.</p> <p>“As parents we’re extremely proud and we think it’s just something that will make women think, and men,” Priscilla said.</p> <p>The grandparents also recently opened up about parenting their three granddaughters.</p> <p>"It's exciting for us to do it the second time around. We've already been through it once and now we're doing it the second time ... a lot of people don't get the chance to do that," Geoff said.</p> <p>The couple, in their mid-70s, have been through hell and back in the last five years but still manage to be positive and excited about their future with their three darling granddaughters, now 10, 13 and 15.</p> <p>Thrust into the spotlight in horrible circumstances, Allison’s family have turned a nightmare into something positive.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.allisonbadenclayfoundation.org.au/strive-to-be-kind/">Strive to Be Kind Day</a></span></strong> will be held on July 28. The day encourages everyone to wear yellow, Allison’s favourite colour, and to perform small random acts of kindness.</p> <p>The <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.allisonbadenclayfoundation.org.au/">Allison Baden-Clay Foundation</a></span> </strong>aims to build a Queensland community that acknowledges the prevalence of domestic and family violence and seeks to create a Queensland that is committed to eliminating and taking concrete action to stop domestic and family violence.</p>

Retirement Life

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New disturbing details about Gerard Baden-Clay revealed

<p>Disturbing details about Gerard Baden-Clay have been exposed in a new book about the high-profile Queensland murder case.</p> <p><em>The Murder of Allison Baden-Clay,</em> by journalist David Murray from the Courier-Mail, has revealed new details that Gerard made calls to check on wife Allison’s life insurance policies the week before she went missing five years ago.</p> <p><img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39002/baden-clay_497x280.jpg" alt="Baden Clay (1)"/></p> <p>The book also suggests that Gerard may have been about to crack and confess his crimes two days after murdering his wife. He had crashed his car into a concrete pylon at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre.</p> <p>“[Witnesses say] he just repeated the words ‘sorry’ … eventually one of the paramedics said what are you sorry about the crash or something else,” The Courier’s chief crime reporter, Kate Kyriacou, told 9NEWS.</p> <p>The killer was also investigated by former employer Flight Centre who believed he was ripping them off. The allegations could never be proven.</p> <p>Alison Baden-Clay was murdered by her husband and dumped under a bridge in 2012. Gerard was found guilty of her murder in July 2014. He appealed the decision in 2015, and successfully had his conviction downgraded to manslaughter. However, after an appeal by the Queensland Director of Public Prosecutions, the High Court of Australia subsequently restored the murder conviction in August last year.</p> <p>He is now serving a life sentence with a non-parole period of 15 years.</p> <p><em>The Murder of Allison Baden-Clay is available now in bookstores and online. </em></p>

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