Police shoot dead fugitive Dezi Freeman after seven-month manhunt in Victoria
Consensus Summary
Dezi Freeman, a 56-year-old self-described sovereign citizen, was shot dead by police in Victoria’s northeast on Monday, August 26, 2024, after a seven-month manhunt following his alleged killing of two officers and injuring a third at his Porepunkah property on August 26, 2025. The operation, described as one of Australia’s largest, involved hundreds of police officers, tactical units, and a $1 million reward for information. Freeman was found near Walwa, approximately 200 km from Porepunkah, in a property with multiple structures, including shipping containers. Police confirmed no officers were injured during the incident, and the shooting will be investigated by the State Coroner and Professional Standards Command. The manhunt, which included searches of over 100 properties and cadaver dog assistance, had created significant fear and disruption in the Porepunkah community. While the death of Freeman brings a form of closure, police and families of the slain officers emphasize that it does not undo the trauma or loss caused by the original shootings. Freeman’s history of hostility toward police and his association with sovereign citizen ideology were central to the case, with some locals and acquaintances describing his radicalization and violent tendencies in the months leading up to the shootings.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Dezi Freeman (aka Desmond Filby), 56, was shot dead by police at a property in Victoria’s northeast on Monday, August 26, 2024, at approximately 8:30 AM.
- Freeman is accused of killing two police officers—Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson (59) and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart (35)—and injuring a third officer at his Porepunkah property on August 26, 2025.
- The manhunt lasted 216 days, involving over 100 property searches, cadaver dogs, and a $1 million reward for information leading to Freeman’s arrest (largest in Victorian history).
- Police used tactical teams, Bearcats, and heat-detecting assets during the search, which included Mount Buffalo National Park’s rugged terrain with caves and mineshafts.
- The operation involved 450+ Victoria Police officers, Australian Defence Force members, Australian Federal Police, and officers from other states.
- Freeman was last seen fleeing into bushland near Mount Buffalo after the August 2025 shootings.
- The property where Freeman was shot was in the Walwa area, near the Murray River, approximately 200 km northeast of Porepunkah.
- Police confirmed no officers were injured during the incident, and the State Coroner and Professional Standards Command will investigate the shooting.
- Freeman was a self-described ‘sovereign citizen’ with a history of hostility toward police and the legal system.
- The two slain officers were part of a 10-officer team executing a search warrant for historical sexual assault allegations at Freeman’s property.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Steve, a local horserider, described the relief of hearing Freeman was dead, noting the uncertainty and fear it caused for the Porepunkah community and its impact on tourism.
- Freeman’s wife, Amalia, and their son were arrested and questioned in December 2025 for obstructing police but were later released without charge.
- A $1 million reward was offered for information leading to Freeman’s arrest, not conviction, marking a first in Victoria.
- Bright Brewery owner Scott Brandon mentioned the manhunt dominated local conversation despite peak tourism season.
- Freeman’s friend Ray Kompe described him as a ‘bloke with a lot of resolve’ but noted he ‘got into the wrong crowd’ and had a history of conflicts with neighbors.
- Freeman posted anti-police sentiment online, including ‘The only good cop is a dead cop’ on Instagram and called for the ‘extermination’ of politicians on Facebook.
- No additional specific details beyond the core facts; focuses on Chief Commissioner Bush’s statement about bringing ‘closure’.
- Chief Commissioner Mike Bush stated there was an ‘appeal to encourage the person to come out’ before the shooting, and Freeman did not surrender peacefully.
- Bush mentioned Freeman was believed to be armed and that the operation was conducted by Victoria Police’s Special Operations Group and Task Force Summit.
- Bush called the shooting ‘justice’ and stated the families of the slain officers were the first to be notified.
- The Guardian reported Freeman was found in a shipping container on the property.
- Police received over 2,000 pieces of information during the manhunt, though it’s unclear if any led directly to Freeman’s location.
- The Police Association Victoria stated Freeman’s death was a ‘step forward’ but emphasized it did not lessen the trauma caused.
- A no-fly zone was established around Porepunkah Airport due to the risk of Freeman being armed and the potential for drones to be targeted.
- Police were tipped off about Freeman’s location near Walwa last week, with officers surveilling the property for days before the raid.
- Satellite imagery showed the property had multiple buildings, including two shipping containers, a caravan, and disused vehicles.
- Freeman was believed to have been hiding in one of the containers before emerging to shoot at officers during a stand-off.
- A veteran detective told The Age: ‘I think today is a good day, the sun is shining and Victoria Police will continue to serve the public the way those fallen officers were trying to do.’
- No additional details beyond those in SMH; focuses on the tip-off and stand-off dynamics.
- Describes Freeman as having a ‘troubled history’ with authority, including attempting to arrest a magistrate and being linked to a treason prosecution against Daniel Andrews.
- Freeman was a disability pensioner born Desmond Filby and had previously worked on an organic farm but struggled with employment due to his inability to take orders.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states Freeman’s wife and son were arrested in December 2025 for obstructing police, but The Guardian and News.com.au do not mention this timeline or charge.
- The Guardian and SMH/The Age report Freeman was found in a shipping container, while ABC does not specify the exact location within the property.
- ABC mentions Freeman’s friend described him as having an ‘arsenal’ of weapons, but this detail is not confirmed by other sources.
- News.com.au states police received over 2,000 tips during the manhunt, while ABC reports ‘hundreds of tips’—no other source provides a number closer to 2,000.
- The Guardian reports Freeman was believed to have been dead in Mount Buffalo National Park as recently as February 2026, but ABC does not mention this specific timeline for the belief.
Source Articles
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