New police investigation into Lisa Lynn’s death stalls over bill for expert report, family says
Kim and David Searle say they are frustrated the investigation into their daughter's death has stalled. (ABC News: Mackenzie Heard)
In short:
A fresh investigation into the death of convicted murderer Greg Lynn's first wife has stalled over a $9,000 bill for an expert report, her family says.
Detectives had hoped the expert report would shed light on whether the scene of Lisa Lynn's death in 1999 could have been staged.
An initial police investigation failed to uncover any suspicious circumstances.
The family of Lisa Lynn, the late first wife of High Country killer Greg Lynn, says a fresh investigation into her death has stalled because Victoria Police will not pay for a report into whether the scene of her death could have been staged.
An extensive ABC investigation has this week revealed that police have launched a new investigation into Ms Lynn's death in mysterious circumstances in October 1999.
While an initial investigation failed to uncover any suspicious circumstances, the 34-year-old's death followed a campaign of abuse and death threats from her husband, Greg Lynn, decades before he was convicted of murdering an elderly camper.
Without holding an inquest, a coroner found Ms Lynn died from the combined toxicity of alcohol and prescription medication in her system, although it was unclear if she intended to take her own life.
Detectives involved in the new investigation had hoped for an expert report into the scene of Ms Lynn's death, which would examine whether it could have been staged.
Ms Lynn's family said they had since been told Victoria Police did not have money to pay for such a report.
"It costs $9,000 and so it's just a matter of that money that Victoria Police won't release," said Ms Lynn's sister, Linda.
Her family offered to pay the fee themselves, but they said police did not respond to their offer.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said the investigation into Ms Lynn's death was ongoing.
"This current investigation commenced as a result of a review of the matter as part of a separate investigation, as well as information provided to police," the spokesperson said.
"Given the matter remains before the coroner for assessment, we are not able to comment further on the investigation."
Lisa's sister, Linda, says her family offered the pay the fee. (ABC News: Mackenzie Heard)
Unexpected death mystifies family
Elements of the scene of Ms Lynn's death have mystified her family for decades.
Neighbours found the 34-year-old lying dead in her front yard early on the morning of October 26, 1999. She was out in the cold in her pyjamas with no shoes on.
A neighbour found a glass — empty except for a lemon slice — on the ground nearby.
Greg Lynn's first wife, Lisa, was found dead in the front yard of her Mount Macedon home in 1999. (Supplied)
Ms Lynn's two sons, still just toddlers, were alone in the house, where Nick Cave's Nobody's Baby Now was playing on repeat.
At the time, Greg Lynn told police that he did not have any involvement in his wife's death and gave an account of his movements on the night, saying he was drinking alone at inner-city Melbourne pubs.
But for Ms Lynn's family, there was so much about her death — and the coroner's findings — that did not make sense.
They told the ABC she would never do something to impair her judgement while home alone with her boys.
Ms Lynn's purse, money and credit cards were also scattered across the floor. A side door that never got used was unlocked.
And in the kitchen, there was a cutting board with a knife and lemon as well as a packet of pills on the kitchen table.
"After Lisa's death, I was about three years fighting for some sort of investigation, inquiry, some justice," said Ms Lynn's mother, Kim Searle.
She said she could not get police to listen to her.
But when the former Jetstar pilot was charged with murdering two elderly campers in Victoria's High Country in 2021, that finally changed.
"I think it was then that they realised there was possibly more to investigate," Ms Searle said.
Lynn manipulated scene of campers' deaths
Greg Lynn was arrested over the deaths of elderly campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay in November 2021.
Under questioning by police, he admitted to manipulating the campsite where they died by rifling through their wallets to make it look like a robbery.
Carol Clay’s wallet was found in a Landcruiser when police arrived at her burnt and abandoned campsite. (Supplied)
Greg Lynn was convicted of Ms Clay's murder following a high-profile double-murder trial in 2024.
He was found not guilty of the murder of Russell Hill.
He told the jury he set fire to the pair's campsite before hiding their bodies in remote bushland and later returning to incinerate their remains.
The former Jetstar pilot has always maintained the campers' deaths were tragic accidents and is currently appealing against his conviction and 32-year prison sentence.
After his arrest, detectives quietly relaunched an investigation into Ms Lynn's death and examined Greg Lynn's first marriage with fresh eyes.
Greg Lynn was convicted in 2024 of murdering elderly camper Carol Clay. (Facebook)
Investigators this year handed a new brief of evidence to the coroner in relation to Ms Lynn's death.
If the coroner decides there is enough fresh information, they may announce a formal inquest into Ms Lynn's death.
The family — which has longed for the inquest — say they have been left frustrated over the unpaid bill.
"I think the truth needs to come out, as hard as it is going to be," said Ms Lynn's sister, Karen.
"She deserves justice."