Anonymous

Friends had described Russell as someone who didn't take crap from anyone, making it plausible that he could find himself in an altercation. An alternative possibility was that either Russell or Carol had been mistaken for prey through unclear thermal imaging equipment and accidentally shot, The panicked hunters might then have eliminated witnesses and destroyed evidence.

But without any proof of such crimes, detectives had nothing to support their theories. A year passed without answers. A brief spark of hope flared in March 2021 when a drone matching Russell's was found in the area, but investigators confirmed it was not his. Cadaver Dog searched the rugged terrain again, yet still found nothing.

But without any proof of such crimes, detectives had nothing to support their theories. A year passed without answers. A brief spark of hope flared in March 2021 when a drone matching Russell's was found in the area, but investigators confirmed it was not his. Cadaver Dog searched the rugged terrain again, yet still found nothing.

But without any proof of such crimes, detectives had nothing to support their theories. A year passed without answers. A brief spark of hope flared in March 2021 when a drone matching Russell's was found in the area, but investigators confirmed it was not his. Cadaver Dog searched the rugged terrain again, yet still found nothing.

Russell's wife Robin told the Australian newspaper she believed her husband was dead, but hoped the pair would be found to, quote, face the music. The Country Women's Association, apparently finding the entire situation distasteful, quietly removed Carol's name from their honour roll. Police publicly stated that they believed the couple was dead and had been the victims of foul play.

Russell's wife Robin told the Australian newspaper she believed her husband was dead, but hoped the pair would be found to, quote, face the music. The Country Women's Association, apparently finding the entire situation distasteful, quietly removed Carol's name from their honour roll. Police publicly stated that they believed the couple was dead and had been the victims of foul play.

Russell's wife Robin told the Australian newspaper she believed her husband was dead, but hoped the pair would be found to, quote, face the music. The Country Women's Association, apparently finding the entire situation distasteful, quietly removed Carol's name from their honour roll. Police publicly stated that they believed the couple was dead and had been the victims of foul play.

They also made an appeal for information about their most puzzling lead. During their investigation, they had been able to identify almost every vehicle that had been in the area when Russell and Carol went missing, all but one. A Nissan Patrol, possibly white, hadn't been tracked down.

They also made an appeal for information about their most puzzling lead. During their investigation, they had been able to identify almost every vehicle that had been in the area when Russell and Carol went missing, all but one. A Nissan Patrol, possibly white, hadn't been tracked down.

They also made an appeal for information about their most puzzling lead. During their investigation, they had been able to identify almost every vehicle that had been in the area when Russell and Carol went missing, all but one. A Nissan Patrol, possibly white, hadn't been tracked down.

In April 2021, investigators suddenly shifted their focus to Mount Hotham, 80 kilometres northwest of the burned campsite, where they retrieved two shovels designed for moving loose material. Police were tight-lipped about the shovel's significance. Following this, the case dropped from the headlines once again and seemed destined to fade into mystery.

In April 2021, investigators suddenly shifted their focus to Mount Hotham, 80 kilometres northwest of the burned campsite, where they retrieved two shovels designed for moving loose material. Police were tight-lipped about the shovel's significance. Following this, the case dropped from the headlines once again and seemed destined to fade into mystery.

In April 2021, investigators suddenly shifted their focus to Mount Hotham, 80 kilometres northwest of the burned campsite, where they retrieved two shovels designed for moving loose material. Police were tight-lipped about the shovel's significance. Following this, the case dropped from the headlines once again and seemed destined to fade into mystery.

until six months later in October 2021, when police announced they were making significant headway. Soon after, advertisements ran for an episode of current affairs program 60 Minutes that would be covering the case. Tantalising soundbites suggested that police were finally closing in on a resolution.

until six months later in October 2021, when police announced they were making significant headway. Soon after, advertisements ran for an episode of current affairs program 60 Minutes that would be covering the case. Tantalising soundbites suggested that police were finally closing in on a resolution.

until six months later in October 2021, when police announced they were making significant headway. Soon after, advertisements ran for an episode of current affairs program 60 Minutes that would be covering the case. Tantalising soundbites suggested that police were finally closing in on a resolution.

On Sunday November 7, 60 Minutes aired what appeared to be a simple recap featuring Russell's daughters Debbie and Colleen and Carol's sister Jill. But Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper had an ace to play. Central to this case are these roadside cameras, he revealed, indicating footage from the valley's access roads. We've accounted for every vehicle that left that weekend, except one.

On Sunday November 7, 60 Minutes aired what appeared to be a simple recap featuring Russell's daughters Debbie and Colleen and Carol's sister Jill. But Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper had an ace to play. Central to this case are these roadside cameras, he revealed, indicating footage from the valley's access roads. We've accounted for every vehicle that left that weekend, except one.

On Sunday November 7, 60 Minutes aired what appeared to be a simple recap featuring Russell's daughters Debbie and Colleen and Carol's sister Jill. But Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper had an ace to play. Central to this case are these roadside cameras, he revealed, indicating footage from the valley's access roads. We've accounted for every vehicle that left that weekend, except one.

That vehicle, a dark blue mid-90s Nissan Patrol with distinctive modifications, had now become their primary focus. The grainy image showed only a side view, its occupants and number plate unclear. This revelation appeared related to investigators' earlier appeals for an unidentified Nissan Patrol, though that vehicle had been described as possibly being white.