Search for Fugitive Dezi Freeman Concludes in Mount Buffalo National Park Without Discovery
A five-day search operation in Mount Buffalo National Park, initiated by Victoria Police to locate fugitive Dezi Freeman, has concluded without his discovery. Freeman has been the subject of an extensive police search since August 2023, following an incident where two police officers were fatally shot and a third injured while executing a warrant at his Porepunkah property.
Search Operation Details
Victoria Police commenced the search on Monday, involving over 100 police officers and volunteers, along with two cadaver dogs. The operation covered approximately 1.3 square kilometers of steep, dense terrain in an isolated section of Victoria's north-east.
Authorities had stated their belief that if Freeman remained in the area, he was deceased.
The specific search area was identified following a witness report of a single gunshot heard about two hours after the August 26 incident. Acoustic firearms testing, conducted in November and again on Tuesday, assisted in narrowing the focus of the search location. Police have not confirmed the type of firearm potentially heard by the witness.
Upon conclusion, police reported finding no evidence to suggest Freeman had been alive in the area since he fled his property on August 26, 2023.
Background to the Disappearance
Dezi Freeman, 56, described as a self-proclaimed sovereign citizen, disappeared into bushland behind his Porepunkah property on August 26, 2023. This occurred after Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were fatally shot. A third officer sustained lower-body injuries during the incident. The officers were executing a warrant at Freeman's Rayner Track residence related to alleged historical sexual offenses when he fled with multiple firearms.
Ongoing Investigation
Victoria Police established Taskforce Summit in October in the Great Alpine area to coordinate the efforts to locate Freeman. The taskforce comprises detectives from Crime Command and specialist resources, including:
- The Fugitive Squad
- Armed Crime Squad
- VIPER Taskforce
- Special Operations Group
- Search and Rescue Squad
- Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems members
Investigators are considering three primary scenarios regarding Freeman's whereabouts:
- He is deceased.
- He is being harbored by a supporter.
- He has left the region and is surviving independently.
Public camera footage, including trail cameras, has been examined, and police continue to request any relevant footage from residents.
A $1 million reward, the largest arrest reward in Victoria's history, remains in effect for information leading to Freeman's apprehension. Detectives have affirmed that the search for Dezi Freeman will continue.