Seven-Month Manhunt Ends: Double Murderer Dezi Freeman Shot Dead by Police in Victoria

Dezi Freeman, the double-murderer who evaded authorities for seven months after gunning down two police officers last August, has been shot and killed by Victorian police. The dramatic end to the extensive manhunt unfolded on Monday morning at a rural property in the state's north-east.

Standoff Ends in Fatal Shooting

Victorian police confirmed a man, believed to be 56-year-old Freeman, was shot dead after an hours-long standoff. Officers surrounded a structure described as a cross between a shipping container and a long caravan at approximately 5:30 local time. Following three hours and multiple pleas for surrender, a man matching Freeman's description emerged and was fatally shot.

Chief Commissioner Mike Bush stated that the man is believed to be Freeman, though formal identification is pending. Premier Jacinta Allan remarked, "Today an evil man is dead. It's over." No officers were injured during the operation, which will undergo a standard police investigation.

Details Emerge from Chief Commissioner Bush

While details are still being confirmed, Commissioner Bush indicated that Freeman is believed to have emerged wrapped in a blanket and armed with a gun, potentially one taken from the slain officers in August. Bush reiterated that the primary goal was to arrest Freeman peacefully, but he did not surrender when given the opportunity.

Families Informed, Partial Closure for Police Community

The families of Senior Constables Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart, the officers killed by Freeman last year, were the first to be notified of his death. Commissioner Bush expressed hope that the confirmation of Freeman's identity would bring closure to a "tragic and terrible event."

The Police Association of Victoria, in a statement, called Freeman's death a "step forward" but cautioned against calling it complete "closure," acknowledging the lasting trauma and grief for police and the public.

Remembering Senior Constables Thompson and De Waart

Senior Constable Vadim de Waart, originally from Belgium, was remembered by family and friends as a constantly happy, smiling individual. Detective Neal Thompson, a local detective from a nearby town on the brink of retirement, was described by his partner, also a police officer, as "the best husband she'd never had." Both officers were ambushed and killed within minutes of arriving at Freeman's property in August.

Investigation to Probe Potential Accomplices

Investigators believe Dezi Freeman received assistance during his seven months on the run. Commissioner Bush confirmed that detectives will now focus on identifying and holding accountable anyone who aided him. "It would be very difficult for him to get to where he was... without assistance," Bush stated.

Olley News Insight: The Sovereign Citizen Movement

Dezi Freeman identified as a "sovereign citizen," an anti-government movement whose adherents reject the authority of state and federal laws, believing themselves immune to legal statutes. This ideology often leads to confrontations with law enforcement and has been described by federal police as having an "underlying capacity to inspire violence."

Dezi Freeman: A History of Anti-Authority Views

Freeman, whose birth name was Desmond Filby, was a self-described "sovereign citizen" with a well-documented history of conflict with authority. His extremist views reportedly intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic. He had previously attempted to arrest a magistrate and sought to have former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews tried for treason, a case that was dismissed in 2021.

Locals in Porepunkah, the small alpine tourist town where he lived with his family, were aware of his anti-government sentiments. Federal police have flagged such anti-government groups as having a capacity to inspire violence, citing a similar incident in Queensland in 2022 where two officers and a bystander were killed by individuals with similar beliefs.

The Fatal Confrontation in Porepunkah

On August 26, police visited Freeman's property in Porepunkah to execute a search warrant related to an investigation into sex offences. Despite a risk assessment, ten officers, including Detective Thompson who was chosen due to previous interactions with Freeman, were sent without specialist support. Within minutes of their arrival, Thompson and De Waart were shot dead.

The Extensive Seven-Month Manhunt

Following the murders, police launched an extensive seven-month manhunt across dense bushland, offering a A$1 million reward. The rugged terrain, riddled with caves and mineshafts, coupled with Freeman's known bush survival skills, complicated the search. Last month, authorities renewed their efforts, bringing in cadaver dogs and stating a strong belief that Freeman was dead, though they maintained an open mind until his location was confirmed.

Community Reactions and Hope for Closure

Helen Haines, the local MP for Porepunkah, expressed that a "dark cloud" had hung over the town since last August, and Freeman's death "draws this prolonged and devastating incident to a close." A close friend of Detective Thompson, John Bird, welcomed the news, acknowledging it brought some closure, though it "doesn't change much" in terms of the loss.

Key Takeaways

  • Dezi Freeman, 56, was shot dead by police after a seven-month manhunt.
  • He was wanted for the double murder of Senior Constables Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart in August 2023.
  • The fatal standoff occurred at a rural property in Victoria's north-east on Monday morning.
  • Freeman, a self-described "sovereign citizen," had a history of anti-authority confrontations.
  • Police believe Freeman received assistance while on the run, and an investigation into accomplices will commence.
  • While bringing some relief, police and community leaders note the death does not fully alleviate the trauma and grief caused by the initial murders.