The eldest son of a man accused of shooting two Victoria Police officers and wounding a third said his family fears the fugitive may already be dead as an intensive manhunt enters its third week.
Dezi Freeman, 56, allegedly opened fire on officers at his makeshift property near Porepunkah in Victoria's High Country on August 26 as they attempted to serve a warrant. Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 35, and Detective Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, died of their injuries; a third officer was seriously wounded and survived.
Koah Freeman returned to work this week and told reporters he had “accepted the worst” about his father’s fate while trying to resume a measure of normal life. He said the family was still processing the killings and living with the uncertainty of whether Dezi Freeman remained alive in the surrounding bush.
Police escalation since the August 26 ambush has been substantial. Authorities say about 450 heavily armed and specialist officers, trackers and support personnel backed by Australian Defence Force units have been conducting searches of deep bushland near Porepunkah. Investigators have also searched more than 100 properties in surrounding towns, followed hundreds of tips and received new information since announcing a reward of A$1 million for information leading to Freeman’s arrest.
Funeral and memorial services for the slain officers drew senior officials and colleagues. A service for Detective Senior Constable Thompson began at the Victoria Police Academy in Melbourne, attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Victoria Police Commissioner Mark (Mike) Bush. Thompson’s coffin was draped in an Australian flag and a Victoria Police cap. Senior Constable de Waart-Hottart was farewelled at an emotion-charged service the previous Friday.
At Thompson’s service, his partner Lisa Thompson delivered remarks describing how they met while on duty in 2016 and characterising him as a private person who was a provider and protector. Police and community leaders paid tribute to the officers’ service and urged continued cooperation with investigators.
Church members in the Bright area, where the Freeman family had worshipped, said they were shocked by the killings. The parish priest, Father Tony Shallue, told media the family had attended the local church regularly and described the suspect as a familiar presence who had appeared unusually agitated in the days before the shooting. Father Shallue said he had noticed changes in Freeman’s demeanour but framed his comments as observations reported to him by parishioners.
Police have said officers were among a group of about 10 who went to Freeman’s property, which included a makeshift home constructed around an old bus, when the shooting occurred. Authorities identified the incident as an ambush and said Freeman fled into surrounding bushland immediately after the attack.
Victoria Police have continued to canvass the area and appeal to the public for information. Investigators have urged anyone with knowledge of Freeman’s whereabouts to come forward and warned residents to avoid the area while search operations are under way. Authorities have indicated the investigation remains active, with searches, forensic work and follow-up interviews ongoing.
Police have so far not disclosed any definitive sightings of Freeman since the August 26 attack. Detectives have said they are treating the case as a high priority and continue to coordinate with state and federal agencies, including the ADF, to maintain a sustained search effort.
As the manhunt continues, family members and the community remain on edge. Koah Freeman said he and relatives are now focusing on daily routines as a way of coping with the trauma, while accepting the uncertainty surrounding his father’s fate.
Victoria Police have reiterated that any credible information can be provided to Crime Stoppers or the investigation team. The public reward remains in place as searches continue and investigators pursue all leads in the weeks ahead.