greg lynn

Greg Lynn Appeal: High Country Murder Conviction Overturned, Retrial Ordered

In a dramatic turn of events that has captivated the nation and sent shockwaves through the Australian legal system, the murder conviction of former pilot Greg Lynn has been set aside. The highly anticipated decision, handed down by the Court of Appeal in Victoria, means Lynn will face a retrial for the deaths of missing campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill.

The ruling, delivered on Thursday, December 11, 2025, overturns the verdict that had found Lynn guilty just a year prior. For the families of the victims and the public alike, the case is far from over, plunging the complex legal saga surrounding the deaths in the Victorian High Country back into uncertainty.

This article breaks down the latest developments, the background of the case, and what lies ahead in this high-stakes legal battle.

The Appeal Verdict: A Sudden Reversal

The central focus of the legal proceedings this week was the appeal against Lynn's conviction. After a trial that gripped the public, a jury had found Lynn guilty of murdering Mr. Hill and Ms. Clay during a camping trip in the Wonnangatta Valley in March 2020.

However, the defence team mounted a vigorous appeal, arguing that the trial judge made a critical error in their directions to the jury. The core of the appeal rested on the issue of "lies." The prosecution had presented evidence that Lynn had lied to police during his initial interviews. The defence contended that the jury may have been directed to use these lies as evidence of guilt without proper consideration that they could have been told for other reasons—such as fear, panic, or shame—rather than to conceal a murder.

In a significant development, the appeal judges agreed that the directions given to the jury were "defective." According to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the court found the instructions were not adequate to ensure the jury understood how to properly assess the evidence of Lynn’s lies. As a result, the conviction was unsafe, and a retrial was ordered.

"The conviction has been set aside and a retrial ordered," a spokesperson for the court confirmed, as reported by 9News.

This outcome means the verdict that had provided some measure of closure for the families and the community is now vacated.

A Case Defined by Wilderness and Mystery

To understand the weight of this appeal decision, it is essential to look back at the chilling narrative that unfolded during the original trial. The case is one of Australia's most perplexing wilderness mysteries, blending a tale of two experienced campers with a violent and unexpected end.

Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, were avid campers who had known each other for decades. In early March 2020, they drove Mr. Hill’s Toyota LandCruiser into the remote and rugged Wonnangatta Valley, a beautiful but isolated area known for its dense bushland and steep terrain. They were last heard from on March 20, when Mr. Hill made a radio call to a friend.

When they failed to return home, a massive police search was launched. The discovery of their campsite painted a grim picture: their tent was slashed, their fire had been used to burn a chair, and Mr. Hill’s drone was missing. Most crucially, their 4WD was found abandoned at a remote track.

The investigation soon focused on Greg Lynn, a 57-year-old former Qantas pilot. He and his wife were also camping in the same area at the time. The prosecution's case was that a confrontation occurred at the campers' tent, leading to the deaths of both Mr. Hill and Ms. Clay. The court heard that Lynn later returned to the site to burn evidence and dispose of the bodies, the location of which remains unknown.

The Jury's Original Decision and the Defence's Push for a Retrial

In December 2023, after a lengthy trial, the jury found Greg Lynn guilty of two counts of murder. The prosecution had relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, including Lynn’s changing accounts of his activities, the discovery of bloodstains in his car (which matched Mr. Hill’s DNA), and the fact that he was the last known person to see the pair alive.

However, the defence always maintained that the evidence did not prove Lynn’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. They argued the deaths were accidental or occurred in circumstances that did not amount to murder. The appeal focused on a specific point of law: the handling of "implied lies."

In their appeal, Lynn's lawyers argued that the trial judge failed to properly instruct the jury that they needed to be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the lies were told to conceal guilt, and not for some other reason. This legal nuance proved to be the key that unlocked the appeal.

What This Ruling Means for the Justice System

The overturning of a murder conviction is a rare and significant event. It underscores the critical importance of trial procedure and the precise language used by judges when instructing juries. The legal principle at play is a cornerstone of the Australian justice system: the right to a fair trial.

This case highlights how even a seemingly strong prosecution, backed by compelling circumstantial evidence, can be undone by an error in legal direction. It serves as a reminder that the process is just as important as the outcome. For the public, it can be a confusing and frustrating development, but it reflects the system's built-in safeguards to prevent potential miscarriages of justice.

The decision does not mean Greg Lynn is innocent; it simply means the previous trial was not conducted in a way that met the strict legal standards required for a safe conviction.

The Human Element: A Family's Unending Wait

Behind the legal arguments and court documents are two families whose lives have been irrevocably changed. For the Hill and Clay families, the 2023 conviction was a pivotal moment after years of anguish and not knowing what had happened to their loved ones.

The news that the conviction has been overturned and a retrial ordered means they must endure the pain and uncertainty all over again. The families have consistently chosen not to speak publicly throughout the legal process, but the emotional toll of such a prolonged and public ordeal is unimaginable. They must now prepare to relive the trauma of the trial as the search for justice continues.

Immediate Effects: The Path to a Second Trial

With the conviction set aside, the immediate legal path is clear: Greg Lynn will face a second trial for the murders of Carol Clay and Russell Hill. While the defence successfully argued that the first trial was flawed, they have not yet had the opportunity to present a full defence case to a jury.

The Office of Public Prosecutions will now have to decide whether to proceed with a retrial. Given the seriousness of the charges and the public interest, it is widely anticipated that they will. A new trial will likely involve much of the same evidence presented in the first, but the prosecution will need to ensure that the legal directions given to the new jury are impeccable.

This process will take time. A new trial date will be set, and the legal teams will once again prepare for a lengthy court battle. In the meantime, Greg Lynn remains in custody.

Future Outlook: What Lies Ahead for the High Country Mystery

The ordering of a retrial means the final chapter of the Greg Lynn case has yet to be written. Several key questions and potential outcomes will shape the future of this case:

1. The Second Trial: The primary focus will be the retrial itself. Will the prosecution's case be strong enough to secure a second conviction? Will the defence adopt a different strategy? The core facts will likely remain the same, but the legal arguments will be even sharper.

2. The Search for Answers: One of the most haunting aspects of this case is that the bodies of Russell Hill and Carol Clay have never been found. Despite extensive searches, their families have been denied the chance to lay their loved ones to rest. Until their remains are located, a complete sense of closure will remain elusive, regardless of the legal outcome.

3. Public Perception: The case has already generated enormous media attention and public debate. The appeal decision adds another layer of complexity to the public narrative. A second trial will once again bring the grim details of the Wonnangatta Valley mystery into the spotlight.

The Greg Lynn case is more than just a legal proceeding; it is a tragedy that has unfolded in the heart of the Australian bush, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and profound loss. As the legal system gears up for another trial, the nation will be watching, hoping for a definitive answer to one of the country's most disturbing mysteries.

This story was compiled using verified reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 9News, and News.com.au.