Coronial inquest into Dezi Freeman’s police killings and death in Victoria
Consensus Summary
Coronial inquests are examining the deaths of two Victorian police officers, Neal Thompson (59) and Vadim de Waart-Hottart (35), killed by Dezi Freeman on August 26, 2025, during a warrant execution at his Porepunkah property for alleged historical child sex offences. Freeman, a self-described sovereign citizen with a history of anti-police sentiment, fatally shot both officers before fleeing into the bush, evading capture for 216 days until his death in a March 30, 2026, standoff at Thologolong. The inquests, held May 25, 2026, aim to reconstruct events, assess police actions, and determine if systemic changes could prevent future tragedies. Key details include Freeman’s use of a police firearm after his shotgun malfunctioned, his taunting of officers during negotiations, and the involvement of his wife and child during the initial shootings. Investigators are also exploring whether Freeman received external assistance while on the run, with Victoria Police maintaining the March 30 shooting was justified. The coroner will weigh evidence from bodycam footage, audio recordings, and civilian videos to establish accountability and transparency.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Dezi Freeman (aka Desmond Filby) killed Detective Leading Constable Neal Thompson (59) and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart (35) on August 26, 2025, at his Porepunkah property during a warrant execution for alleged historical child sex offences.
- Freeman was a ‘sovereign citizen’ with a history of hostility toward police and the judicial system, and was married with a child.
- Freeman fled into the bush after the shootings and remained on the run for 216 days (until March 30, 2026) before being killed in a police standoff at Thologolong, ~200km northeast of Porepunkah.
- The search warrant was issued for alleged child sexual assault (under 16) and involvement in child abuse material production; police sought electronic devices and Freeman’s arrest.
- Coronial inquests began May 25, 2026, with separate hearings for the officers’ deaths (10am) and Freeman’s death (2pm) in the Coroners Court, Melbourne.
- Freeman’s final standoff occurred in a modified 40-foot shipping container at Thologolong; police used gas canisters to force him out before shooting him dead.
- Victoria Police’s Professional Standards Command is overseeing the investigation into Freeman’s shooting death, with Senior homicide detective Paul Scarlett appointed as coronial investigator.
- Freeman’s wife, Mali (Amalia) Freeman, was present at the bus during the August 26 shootings and fled with their child; she later received a text from Freeman: ‘See you in heaven love’.
- Four police officers had body-worn cameras active during the August 26 incident, but tactical officers confronting Freeman at Thologolong were not wearing bodycams.
- One round from Freeman’s firearm remains unaccounted for after accounting for shots fired in Porepunkah and Thologolong.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Freeman’s wife Mali was referred to as ‘Mali’ in the first article and ‘Amalia’ in the fifth; counsel assisting the inquest is Lindsay Spence (spelled ‘Lindsay’ in Article 1, ‘Linsday’ in Article 6).
- State Coroner Liberty Sanger acknowledged the loss of life and pain felt by families and the community in her opening remarks.
- Detective Inspector Dean Thomas (homicide squad boss) and Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel L’Estrange attended the hearing in support of fallen officers.
- Freeman’s property owner, Andrew Swift, arrived during the standoff and filmed police on his phone before telling them they were trespassing.
- Freeman’s text to Mali after the shootings read: ‘see you in heaven love’ (Article 1) vs. ‘Beb get mile away and keep going. See u in heaven luv’ (Article 4).
- A $1m reward was offered for information leading to Freeman’s capture on September 6, 2025.
- Freeman’s coronial brief is expected by August 21, 2026, with an inquest tentatively planned for March 2027.
- Freeman emerged from the shipping container at Thologolong wrapped in a blanket, calling police ‘thugs and bullies’ before being struck by foam baton rounds.
- Police deployed gas inside the shipping container after two hours of negotiations, during which Freeman taunted officers with offers to ‘have a beer’.
- Freeman’s final exchange with police included: ‘That is self defense... they had come to murder me and my family’ before being shot.
- Freeman was carrying a green bag covering his hands when he first emerged from the police vehicles at Porepunkah.
- Freeman’s identity was confirmed via surveillance at the Thologolong property days before his death.
- Dr Claire Ferguson (QUT forensic criminologist) and Terry Goldsworthy (Bond University criminologist) were quoted on the coroner’s role in reconstructing events and balancing transparency with accountability.
- Speculation exists over whether Freeman received assistance evading police for 216 days, with Commissioner Mike Bush stating it would have been ‘very difficult’ for him to reach Thologolong without help.
- No unique details beyond the headline; no additional facts or quotes.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Freeman’s wife was named ‘Mali,’ while Article 4 and the ABC refer to her as ‘Amalia Freeman’; no resolution provided.
- Article 1 claims Freeman’s text to his wife read ‘see you in heaven love,’ while Article 4 states it read ‘Beb get mile away and keep going. See u in heaven luv,’ with no cross-verification.
- Article 1 says Freeman was 56 years old, while Article 3 states he was 56 (consistent), but Article 6 does not specify age, creating ambiguity in reporting.
- Article 1 and 3 describe Freeman’s death location as ~200km from Porepunkah, while the Guardian states ~150km; no consensus on exact distance.
- Article 1 and 4 mention Freeman’s shotgun failed to discharge multiple times before he used a police firearm, but no source confirms the exact number of failed attempts.
Source Articles
‘Die in hell’: Dezi’s words after fatal shots
After killing two police officers, Dezi Freeman remarked “I had no choice” and “die in hell”, a court has been told.
Inquest hears child sex abuse allegations against Dezi Freeman
The inquest is being held into the deaths of two police officers killed by Dezi Freeman in north-east Victoria last year.
Probe to begin into cop killer Dezi Freeman
Inquests into the deaths of Dezi Freeman and the two police officers he killed are set to be called in court for the first time.
Live: Court details the moment Dezi Freeman killed two police officers
The details of Dezi Freeman's initial confrontation with police and text messages he sent to his wife after shooting two police officers have been revealed in a hearing.
Dezi inquest: Probes into Freeman shooting, murders of police begins
Coronial inquiries into the shooting of Dezi Freeman outside a shipping container in Thologolong and the Porepunkah murders of policemen Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart are being held on Monday.
Dezi Freeman inquest: police investigating alleged sexual assault of child when two killed, coroner hears
Directions hearing over deaths of Victoria police officers Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart told of new details of Porepunkah shooting Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The alleged sexual assault of a child has been revealed as the reason for a search warrant against Dezi Freeman that ended with him shooting dead two Victorian police officers. Fresh details into the August deaths of Det Leading Sen Const Ne