Anonymous

She confirmed that she hadn't heard from her husband since listening in on his final radio conversation, the same evening Rob had last spoken with him. When Russell failed to return home that day, Robin reported him missing, advising police that she was worried as he was alone and it was unusual for him to be out of contact for so long.

Two senior police constables from the town of Mafra headed to the Wanangatta Valley, Russell's last known location. After checking the general store at Lakola, they combed local campsites but found no trace of the missing man. They alerted the people they came across to watch for signs of a lone elderly camper.

Two senior police constables from the town of Mafra headed to the Wanangatta Valley, Russell's last known location. After checking the general store at Lakola, they combed local campsites but found no trace of the missing man. They alerted the people they came across to watch for signs of a lone elderly camper.

Two senior police constables from the town of Mafra headed to the Wanangatta Valley, Russell's last known location. After checking the general store at Lakola, they combed local campsites but found no trace of the missing man. They alerted the people they came across to watch for signs of a lone elderly camper.

While beginning their investigation into Russell Hill's disappearance, the police came across a tip that had been reported several days earlier. A man named Andrew Marquardt had notified authorities that he'd come across a burned out campsite on Saturday March 21, the morning after Russell was last heard from.

While beginning their investigation into Russell Hill's disappearance, the police came across a tip that had been reported several days earlier. A man named Andrew Marquardt had notified authorities that he'd come across a burned out campsite on Saturday March 21, the morning after Russell was last heard from.

While beginning their investigation into Russell Hill's disappearance, the police came across a tip that had been reported several days earlier. A man named Andrew Marquardt had notified authorities that he'd come across a burned out campsite on Saturday March 21, the morning after Russell was last heard from.

On Saturday March 28, the day after Russell was reported missing, officers set off for Buck's Camp to follow up on the lead. What they found confirmed their worst fears, a white Land Cruiser matching Russell's. The campsite itself was a wasteland of twisted metal and ash, covering a precise three metre square.

On Saturday March 28, the day after Russell was reported missing, officers set off for Buck's Camp to follow up on the lead. What they found confirmed their worst fears, a white Land Cruiser matching Russell's. The campsite itself was a wasteland of twisted metal and ash, covering a precise three metre square.

On Saturday March 28, the day after Russell was reported missing, officers set off for Buck's Camp to follow up on the lead. What they found confirmed their worst fears, a white Land Cruiser matching Russell's. The campsite itself was a wasteland of twisted metal and ash, covering a precise three metre square.

In the middle were the charred remnants of Russell's tent, mattress, table and camp chairs. The toilet tent Russell had set up in front of his Land Cruiser was mostly undamaged, though its zips had melted. An esky beneath the vehicle was also intact. The fire's intensity puzzled investigators.

In the middle were the charred remnants of Russell's tent, mattress, table and camp chairs. The toilet tent Russell had set up in front of his Land Cruiser was mostly undamaged, though its zips had melted. An esky beneath the vehicle was also intact. The fire's intensity puzzled investigators.

In the middle were the charred remnants of Russell's tent, mattress, table and camp chairs. The toilet tent Russell had set up in front of his Land Cruiser was mostly undamaged, though its zips had melted. An esky beneath the vehicle was also intact. The fire's intensity puzzled investigators.

Though it had consumed everything within reach, the esky and the Land Cruiser's tyres were unmarked, suggesting an accelerant-fuelled blaze that had been deliberately contained. Neither smartphones nor Russell's drone were found among the debris, though an older mobile phone sat in the ute's centre console. Through the vehicle's windows, police officers spotted not one, but two open wallets.

Though it had consumed everything within reach, the esky and the Land Cruiser's tyres were unmarked, suggesting an accelerant-fuelled blaze that had been deliberately contained. Neither smartphones nor Russell's drone were found among the debris, though an older mobile phone sat in the ute's centre console. Through the vehicle's windows, police officers spotted not one, but two open wallets.

Though it had consumed everything within reach, the esky and the Land Cruiser's tyres were unmarked, suggesting an accelerant-fuelled blaze that had been deliberately contained. Neither smartphones nor Russell's drone were found among the debris, though an older mobile phone sat in the ute's centre console. Through the vehicle's windows, police officers spotted not one, but two open wallets.

Both had been stripped of cash and credit cards, and their contents scattered across both footwells. While one wallet confirmed Russell Hill's identity, the other, containing a health insurance card and a driver's license, drew intrigue. It belonged to someone named Carol Clay, a woman no one had reported missing. Russell's family hadn't mentioned he was camping with anyone.

Both had been stripped of cash and credit cards, and their contents scattered across both footwells. While one wallet confirmed Russell Hill's identity, the other, containing a health insurance card and a driver's license, drew intrigue. It belonged to someone named Carol Clay, a woman no one had reported missing. Russell's family hadn't mentioned he was camping with anyone.

Both had been stripped of cash and credit cards, and their contents scattered across both footwells. While one wallet confirmed Russell Hill's identity, the other, containing a health insurance card and a driver's license, drew intrigue. It belonged to someone named Carol Clay, a woman no one had reported missing. Russell's family hadn't mentioned he was camping with anyone.

The discovery forced investigators to confront an uncomfortable reality. They weren't looking for one missing person, but two. Case File will be back shortly. Thank you for supporting us by listening to this episode's sponsors.