Dezi Freeman’s seven-month manhunt, final shootout, and investigation into his accomplices
Consensus Summary
Dezi Freeman, a fugitive who killed two police officers in August 2025 during a warrant execution at his Porepunkah property, evaded capture for seven months before being shot dead by Victoria Police’s Special Operations Group on April 1, 2026, at a remote property in Thologolong. Freeman was found hiding in a shipping container, armed with a stolen police-issued pistol, after a three-hour standoff. Police confirmed he was shot more than 20 times, with Chief Commissioner Mike Bush stating Freeman refused multiple opportunities to surrender peacefully. The investigation into how Freeman survived for so long has led to the arrest of two of his associates on April 4, 2026, as police work backward to determine who helped him evade capture. The property where Freeman was found was near the Murray River and had been affected by recent bushfires, with evidence suggesting he had been living there for some time. Locals and family members reacted with shock and grief, while some in the sovereign citizen community expressed sympathy or disbelief about Freeman’s death. The case has reignited discussions about fugitives in Australia, with comparisons drawn to historical figures like Ned Kelly.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Dezi Freeman (born Desmond Filby) was shot dead by Victoria Police’s Special Operations Group on Monday, April 1, 2026, at a property in Thologolong, Victoria, after a three-hour standoff.
- Freeman fatally shot Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart (35) and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson (59) on August 26, 2025, during a warrant execution at his Porepunkah property for historical child sexual abuse allegations.
- A third officer was injured in the August 2025 shootout at Porepunkah, and Freeman fled into bushland behind his property.
- Freeman was hiding in a shipping container on a remote property in Thologolong, more than 150 kilometers from Porepunkah, where he was found with a stolen police-issued Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol.
- Victoria Police offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Freeman’s arrest, announced in September 2025.
- Two associates of Freeman (a man and a woman) were arrested on April 4, 2026, at separate properties in northeast Victoria as part of the investigation into his movements.
- Freeman was living in a collection of shipping containers and portable houses on the property, with evidence of recent modifications like newly fitted air ducts and a ladder.
- The property owner, Richard Sutherland (75), was unaware Freeman was staying on his land and has since contacted police to assist with the investigation.
- Freeman’s body was formally identified by Victoria Police on April 3, 2026, after the shootout.
- The property where Freeman was found is near the Murray River, close to the NSW border, and was also affected by the January 2026 bushfires that scorched over 120,000 hectares.
- Freeman was shot more than 20 times by police officers, including snipers and Special Operations Group members, during the confrontation.
- Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush stated Freeman was given every opportunity to surrender peacefully and that he refused multiple times.
- Freeman’s wife, Mali Freeman, and their three children believed he was already dead after his disappearance in August 2025.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The ABC reported that up to eight officers from Victoria Police's Special Operations Group fired their weapons towards Freeman during the standoff.
- The ABC noted that Freeman’s wife, Mali, and their three children were grieving and unaware Freeman was still alive until his death was confirmed.
- The ABC mentioned that Freeman’s sister described him as 'no hero' and expressed shame and anger over his actions, calling him 'evil'.
- The ABC highlighted that Freeman’s sister believed he was likely dead after his disappearance and was shocked by his survival.
- The Age reported that Freeman’s death was confirmed by police on Wednesday, April 3, 2026, after the shootout on Monday.
- The Age detailed that Freeman’s hideout included camp chairs, an open box of beer, gas bottles, and cooking appliances, indicating he had been living there for some time.
- The Age mentioned that Freeman’s associates posted tributes online, calling for the $1 million reward recipient to be named, and expressed sympathy for Freeman.
- The Age reported that Chief Commissioner Mike Bush urged anyone with information about accomplices to come forward, stating that those complicit would be held to account.
- The Age noted that Freeman’s wife, Mali, released a statement urging her husband to surrender and for anyone helping him to come forward.
- The Age included a quote from a friend of Freeman’s, Leanne Boyd, who said Freeman’s family believed he was dead after his disappearance in August 2025.
- The Guardian reported that some locals in the Bright region expressed sympathy for Freeman and refused to believe he was dead, citing his ideological beliefs and connections to the sovereign citizen movement.
- The Guardian included a quote from Sarah, a friend of Freeman’s, who said she would not call police if she saw him, stating she would give him a hug and tell him to ask God what to do.
- The Guardian mentioned that Freeman and Sarah shared anti-government views, including skepticism about the constitution and Covid-19.
- The Guardian noted that locals in Porepunkah and surrounding areas were divided in their reactions to Freeman’s death, with some celebrating and others expressing sympathy or disbelief.
- The Guardian highlighted that Freeman’s actions were celebrated by some in the sovereign citizen community, with comparisons drawn to Ned Kelly.
- News.com.au reported that Freeman was shot more than 20 times and described his body as looking like 'Swiss cheese' after the shootout.
- News.com.au mentioned that Freeman’s death marked the end of Australia’s longest and most expensive manhunt.
- News.com.au included a quote from a police source stating that Freeman was found with a blanket draped over his shoulders and a gun in hand.
- The SMH detailed that Freeman’s hideout included newly fitted spinning air ducts on the shipping containers, likely installed to make the containers habitable in summer heat.
- The SMH reported that police believe Freeman only recently moved to the Thologolong property, possibly as little as two weeks before his death.
- The SMH mentioned that Freeman was living rough, surviving off dam water and supplies dropped in by supporters, and had grown a beard and long hair.
- The SMH described that Freeman’s gun was found meters from his body, indicating it may have been shot from his hand.
- No specific details unique to NSW sources beyond those already covered in consensus facts.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian reported that some locals in Bright refused to believe Freeman was dead and expressed sympathy for him, while ABC and The Age articles emphasized that locals were divided but generally supportive of police actions.
- The Guardian mentioned that Freeman’s friend Sarah said she would not call police if she saw Freeman, while The Age reported that Freeman’s wife urged anyone helping him to come forward to authorities.
- The Age stated that Freeman’s wife, Mali, released a statement urging her husband to surrender, but ABC did not mention this specific statement from Mali Freeman.
- The Guardian reported that Freeman’s associates posted tributes online and called for the $1 million reward recipient to be named, while ABC and The Age did not provide details on this specific online activity.
- The SMH mentioned that Freeman was likely living at the Thologolong property for only two weeks before his death, while The Age and ABC did not specify a timeframe for his stay and focused more on the property’s setup.
Source Articles
Dezi Freeman associates arrested then released without charge
A man and a woman who were arrested at separate properties in north-east Victoria have been interviewed and then freed as detectives probe how the police killer evaded them for months....
How Dezi dodged the police for so long
The double cop killer and sovereign citizen has joined a list of infamous fugitives who managed to escape the grasp of police for months. Here’s how he did it....
‘It’s really polarised the population’: amid a police search for Dezi Freeman’s helpers, some sympathy towards the double-murderer remains
Police say anyone who helped the 56-year-old fugitive, who allegedly killed two police officers, ‘will be held to account’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news ...
After two days, police formally identify Dezi Freeman as man shot dead
Victoria Police have officially confirmed that the person shot dead by officers at a property in Victoria's north-east on Monday morning was fugitive Dezi Freeman....
Two arrested as part of investigation into movements of Dezi Freeman
Two people have been arrested as police investigate the movements of Dezi Freeman, who was fatally shot by police last week after months on the run....
Two shootings, 150km apart: Dezi Freeman's final destination mystifies locals
The fugitive resurfaced more than 150 kilometres away from the town where he shot and killed two police officers seven months ago. Mystified locals are questioning how....
New photos reveal details at hideout where Dezi Freeman was killed
The images provide the most extensive detail so far of the remote Thologolong property where Australia’s most wanted man was shot dead by police....
Freeman joins a long line of fugitives captured or killed in Australia
Australia has a long history of violent outlaws heading bush to avoid capture. But how is it still possible to remain on the run for so long?...
Dezi Freeman’s final days and the clues that could lead police to his helpers
More than 24 hours before they confronted a double police killer, the Special Operations Group moved into their go positions and lay in wait, using electronic surveillance to confirm their fugitive wa...
'Evil': Dezi Freeman's sister speaks about her killer brother
Dezi Freeman's sister says her brother "wreaked havoc and evil" as she opens up on a man who had become lost....
Two arrested after Dezi shot dead by cops
Two people have been arrested as police continue probing the movements of fugitive police killer Dezi Freeman during his seven months on the run....
Dezi Freeman’s short stay at remote property betrayed by inner circle
Police believe the double killer had not been at his remote bush hideout long before a tip-off led them to his location....
Owner of property where Dezi Freeman died goes to police
Richard Sutherland has told friends he had no sympathy for the police killer and had no clue anyone was staying on his land....
Dezi Freeman’s final days and the clues that could lead police to his helpers
More than 24 hours before they confronted a double police killer, the Special Operations Group moved into their go positions and lay in wait, using electronic surveillance to confirm their fugitive wa...
Victoria police arrest two people as part of Dezi Freeman investigation
Man and woman to be interviewed by police after arrests at separate properties in state’s north-east on Saturday morning Two people have been arrested as part of the investigation into how Porepunkah ...