Dezi Freeman’s manhunt, capture, and death after killing two police officers in Victoria
Consensus Summary
Dezi Freeman, a self-described sovereign citizen, was shot dead by Victoria Police on Monday, 26 February 2026, after a seven-month manhunt following his fatal shooting of two police officers and injuring a third at his Porepunkah property on 26 August 2025. The manhunt involved hundreds of officers and was one of the largest in Australian history, with a $1 million reward offered for information leading to his arrest. Freeman was found hiding in a shipping container at a remote property in Thologolong, about 150–200 km northeast of Porepunkah, where he was cornered after a three-hour standoff and shot more than 20 times. Police confirmed he was armed with a stolen police-issued pistol during the confrontation. The investigation into Freeman’s death is ongoing, with a focus on identifying any accomplices who may have assisted him during his time on the run. Locals in the region expressed mixed emotions, with some relieved by his death and others sympathetic due to his sovereign citizen beliefs. Freeman’s family, including his wife and children, were reportedly unaware of his whereabouts until his death was confirmed, and his son publicly condemned online reactions to his father’s actions. The event has brought closure to the families of the slain officers but has also reignited discussions about sovereign citizen movements and their influence on violent extremism.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Dezi Freeman (born Desmond Filby) was shot dead by Victoria Police at a property in Thologolong, Victoria, on Monday, 26 February 2026, at approximately 8:30 AM.
- Freeman allegedly killed two police officers—Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson (59) and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart (34)—and injured a third officer at his Porepunkah property on 26 August 2025 during a search warrant execution for historical sexual offences.
- The manhunt for Freeman lasted 216 days and involved over 450 Victoria Police officers, Australian Defence Force members, Australian Federal Police, and officers from other states.
- Freeman was found hiding in a converted shipping container at a remote property in Thologolong, about 150–200 km northeast of Porepunkah, near the Murray River and Mount Lawson National Park.
- Police used a $1 million reward for information leading to Freeman’s arrest, the largest reward of its kind in Victoria’s history.
- Freeman was a self-described ‘sovereign citizen’ with a history of hostility toward police and the legal system, including prior arrests and legal disputes.
- The property where Freeman was found was owned by Richard Sutherland, who had moved interstate to Tasmania and was unaware Freeman was living there.
- Freeman was shot more than 20 times by police officers, including those from the Special Operations Group, after a three-hour standoff.
- The state coroner attended the scene, and the investigation into Freeman’s death is being overseen by Victoria Police’s Professional Standards Command and Homicide Squad.
- Freeman’s wife, Amalia Freeman, and their 15-year-old son were arrested and questioned in September 2025 but later released without charge.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Bright local Steve described the emotional impact of the manhunt on the community, noting locals were relieved but conflicted about Freeman’s death.
- John Bird, a friend of Neal Thompson, expressed relief but emphasized the loss of Thompson would never be changed by Freeman’s death.
- The ABC reported Freeman’s sister described him as ‘no hero’ and expressed shame and anger over his actions.
- The ABC highlighted Freeman’s history of posting anti-police sentiment online, including calls for the ‘extermination’ of politicians.
- The ABC noted Freeman’s former friend speculated Freeman ‘must’ve just lost it’ due to sovereign citizen ideology.
- The ABC reported Freeman’s Porepunkah property was similarly strewn with rubbish and equipment, resembling his Thologolong hideout.
- The Guardian reported some locals in the alpine region expressed sympathy for Freeman and refused to believe he was dead, citing his sovereign citizen beliefs.
- Sarah, a friend of Freeman’s, claimed she would not have called police if she saw Freeman, saying she would have told him ‘we love him’ and asked him to ‘ask God the right thing to do’.
- The Guardian noted comparisons between Freeman and Ned Kelly, with some sovereign citizens viewing Freeman as a ‘heroic figure’.
- The Guardian reported Freeman’s wife, Amalia, rejected any assertion that she shared her husband’s extremist views and urged him to surrender.
- The Guardian highlighted Freeman’s involvement in a private prosecution attempt against Daniel Andrews for treason and fraud, which was later struck out.
- The Guardian mentioned Freeman’s social media activity falsely accusing authorities of injecting people with nefarious substances.
- The Age reported Freeman’s hideout included newly fitted air ducts on shipping containers, suggesting recent habitation and possible assistance from others.
- The Age noted Freeman’s property was near the January bushfire that scorched 120,000 hectares, raising questions about whether he was there during the fire.
- The Age reported Freeman’s final days included living off dam water and supplies dropped in by supporters, with a beard and long hair.
- The Age described Freeman’s container as a ‘cross between a shipping container and a very long caravan’ with a makeshift awning and camping chairs.
- The Age mentioned Freeman’s property owner, Richard Sutherland, had moved interstate due to illness and was unaware Freeman was living there.
- The Age reported Freeman’s death was confirmed after police saw video of him presenting a firearm to officers during the standoff.
- News.com.au reported Freeman’s son, Koah, posted a scathing social media message condemning online celebrations of his father’s death and expressing his grief.
- News.com.au noted Freeman’s death was a ‘step forward’ for police but did not lessen the trauma for families of the slain officers.
- The site reported Freeman’s final act involved using a stolen police-issued service pistol, which he allegedly fired at officers during the standoff.
- News.com.au mentioned Freeman’s family believed he had taken his own life shortly after the August shootings, but his death was confirmed at Thologolong.
- The site highlighted Freeman’s history of being an ‘experienced bushman’ and his ability to evade police for months.
- The Sydney Morning Herald reported Freeman’s death was the result of a ‘shootout’ after police received a tip-off about his location near Walwa.
- The SMH described Freeman’s hideout as a ‘squalid’ camp with shipping containers, a broken-down bus, and discarded items.
- The SMH noted Freeman’s property was near Kennedys Reserve, a popular camping spot, raising questions about whether campers had unwittingly been close to him.
- The SMH reported Freeman’s death was confirmed after police saw video of him allegedly firing a weapon at officers during the standoff.
- SBS reported Chief Commissioner Mike Bush confirmed police acted professionally and that Freeman was given every opportunity to surrender peacefully.
- SBS noted Freeman’s death brought ‘closure to everyone involved’ and highlighted the relief among police officers.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian reported some locals in the region refused to believe Freeman was dead and expressed sympathy for him, while ABC and The Age sources emphasized community relief and closure.
- The Guardian mentioned Freeman’s wife, Amalia, rejected sharing her husband’s extremist views, but ABC and The Age did not provide conflicting details about her beliefs or actions.
- The Age reported Freeman’s property was near the January bushfire and he may have been there during the fire, but ABC and The Guardian did not confirm this detail.
- News.com.au reported Freeman’s son, Koah, publicly condemned online celebrations of his father’s death, but ABC did not provide a direct quote from Koah about this.
- The Guardian and ABC both reported Freeman’s sovereign citizen beliefs influenced his actions, but The Guardian emphasized the movement’s online celebration of his ‘heroic’ last stand, while ABC focused on his family’s grief.
Source Articles
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What we know about the shooting of Dezi Freeman - podcast
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Dezi Freeman’s final days and the clues that could lead police to his helpers
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An isolated property, a morning standoff and an armed fugitive: Dezi Freeman’s final hours
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Squalid spot where Freeman was found
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The day Porepunkah went quiet and learned Dezi Freeman was dead
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A tip-off before a shootout: How Dezi Freeman’s seven-month run came to an end
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Live: Porepunkah shooter Dezi Freeman shot dead by police
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Who is Dezi Freeman and what did he do? What to know about the Australian fugitive shot dead by Victoria police
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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....
Freeman joins a long line of fugitives captured or killed in Australia
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‘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 ...
‘Utter contempt’: Cop killer’s final act
After seven months on the run, the double cop-killer made one final choice that revealed his utter contempt for everyone involved....
Two shootings, 150km apart: Dezi Freeman's final destination mystifies locals
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What we know about where Dezi Freeman made his last stand
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A tip-off before a shootout: How Dezi Freeman’s seven-month run came to an end
This was not a manhunt that ended in a high-speed chase. Instead, it arrived with a surreal, desperate confrontation at a rural property in the state’s northeast....
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Dezi Freeman shooting live updates: Victoria police to give update on Australian fugitive shot dead after months-long manhunt
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Dezi Freeman shot dead by police after seven-month-long manhunt
Shooting occurred at a property in north-east Victoria after major manhunt for 56-year-old, who allegedly killed two police officers in Porepunkah Live updates: Australian fugitive Dezi Freeman shot d...
Inside the squalid bush encampment where Dezi Freeman died
Two hours’ drive from where he murdered two police, the fugitive was in hiding on a bush block without running water or electricity....