Australia’s most wanted fugitive, Dezi Freeman, has been shot dead in a dramatic confrontation with police, bringing an end to a sprawling seven-month manhunt that gripped the nation.
The 56-year-old was killed during a shootout with tactical officers on Monday morning near the New South Wales border, after allegedly murdering two police officers in the Victorian town of Porepunkah last August.
Authorities confirmed Freeman was tracked down near the tiny Murray River township of Thologolong – about 150km from where he was last seen – following a breakthrough tip-off received last week.
Police from the elite Special Operations Group surrounded a remote shipping container where Freeman had been hiding at about 5.30am. After a tense three-hour standoff, he emerged wrapped in a blanket before dropping it to reveal he was armed with a handgun, believed to have been stolen from one of the officers he killed.
Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush said Freeman had been given the chance to surrender. “There was an opportunity for him to surrender peacefully, which he did not,” he said.
The operation involved specialised equipment mounted to a Victoria Police BearCat vehicle, including a device known as a “claw”, which was used to breach the container and deploy gas or capsicum spray, ultimately forcing Freeman out.
“This brings closure to what was a tragic and terrible event,” Bush said.
Freeman had been on the run since the fatal shooting of officers Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottard in Porepunkah seven months and four days earlier. His movements between the two locations are now under investigation.
Police believe Freeman may have received assistance while evading capture. “We’re very keen to learn who, if any – but I’m sure some – actually assisted him,” Bush said.
The fugitive had been living in squalid but organised conditions. Beneath a makeshift verandah at the site were tables, cooking equipment, pots and pans and basic furniture, indicating a semi-permanent setup.
The property’s owner was reportedly in Tasmania and unaware Freeman was using the land. A neighbour described the discovery as shocking, particularly for the absentee owner.
The manhunt for Freeman was one of the largest in Australian history, with investigators following more than 2000 leads over several months, none of which had been confirmed until the recent tip-off.
While the search for Freeman has ended, police say the broader investigation is ongoing. Detectives are now working to process the rural property and gather evidence, including identifying anyone who may have helped him remain at large for so long.
Images: 7News
