“After a Global Manhunt, Dezi Freeman Is Finally Caught — But the Name He Whispered in Interrogation May Shake the Entire Case”

“After a Global Manhunt, Dezi Freeman Is Finally Caught — But the Name He Whispered in Interrogation May Shake the Entire Case”

Authorities say Dezi Freeman has been captured in a remote rural village in South Africa following an intense international manhunt that stretched across continents. For weeks, investigators worked alongside multiple agencies trying to track his movements after he disappeared from Australia, slipping past a massive search effort led by Victoria Police. His arrest was expected to finally bring clarity to the case — but the first moments of questioning reportedly produced something investigators didn’t see coming.

According to sources close to the investigation, Freeman calmly explained how he managed to evade the large-scale search, hinting that he may not have acted alone. The most shocking moment reportedly came when he mentioned a specific name — someone investigators had never seriously suspected. Detectives now believe that revelation could dramatically shift the direction of the investigation. And as authorities dig deeper into the identity of the person he referenced, one unsettling question is beginning to emerge: was the fugitive helped by someone far closer to the case than anyone had imagined?

Police continue to search the Victorian countryside for fugitive Dezi Freeman. (Supplied: Victoria Police)none

In short:

A fugitive who police believe shot and killed two officers near the town of Porepunkah on Tuesday remains on the run.

Dezi Freeman, a self-identified “sovereign citizen”, is believed to have left his property on foot on Tuesday, heavily armed with several firearms.

What’s next?

Frigid conditions are expected in Victoria’s north-east in the coming days, where police will conduct their search.

A manhunt to find a gunman suspected of killing two police officers near the Victorian town of Porepunkah continues, as the region is lashed by icy weather.

Police are searching for Dezi Freeman, who is alleged to have opened fire on a group of 10 police officers as they executed a warrant at his rural property.

Two police officers — identified as Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart — were shot and killed.

Vadim De Waart and Neal Thompson were both shot dead on Tuesday near Porepunkah. (Supplied: Victoria Police)none

A third police officer was hospitalised with lower body injuries and underwent emergency surgery on Tuesday night.

The police search for Mr Freeman has seen the state deploy massive resources to Victoria’s north-east, including armoured vehicles, dog squads and helicopters.

A no-fly zone is in place above the town of Porepunkah, where residents have been told to stay inside until he is found.

Police are searching for the gunman in dense bushland near Porepunkah. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca)none

As the second day of the manhunt drew to a close on Wednesday, icy winds and patches of heavy rain lashed the region, with police vehicles seen leaving the area.

Freeman at large in open bush

Police said following the shooting, Mr Freeman left his property on foot, carrying with him several firearms.

The alpine region around Porepunkah is heavily forested and mountainous, popular with tourists during the ski season.

An aerial image, captured in November 2024, of the alleged gunman’s Porepunkah property. (Supplied: Nearmap)none

The 56-year-old is believed to be an experienced bushman with an intimate knowledge of the surrounding area.

“He knows that area. Even though we have experts in the area, he will know that area better than us, so we’re putting in every expert, and supported by local knowledge as well,” Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said on Tuesday.

Expert survivalists have told the ABC that Mr Freeman could feasibly survive for weeks out in the remote alpine bushland, which borders Mt Buffalo National Park.

It comes amid forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology for storm conditions in the coming days, with snowfall and freezing temperatures expected in the area.

A ‘sovereign citizen’ known to police

Dezi Freeman claims to be a “sovereign citizen”, a movement steeped in the belief that the government and institutions such as courts are illegitimate.

Mr Freeman was previously known to police, having last year launched a Supreme Court challenge after being stripped of his driver’s licence.

Dezi Bird Freeman after a previous court appearance in Wangaratta, in which he tried to arrest police members and magistrate Peter Dunn. (Supplied)none

The 56-year-old also revealed to the court his firearms licences had been cancelled, and claimed to be the target of police harassment.

Mr Freeman described himself as a disability pensioner but said he was once a professional photographer — a job that helped him sponsor his wife to come to Australia from the Philippines.

Police reported that Mr Freeman’s wife and children attended a police station on Tuesday evening.

Public records reveal that Mr Freeman has had multiple run-ins with the police over the past 30 years, mostly for driving offences.

On Tuesday, police officers were executing a warrant relating to historical sex crimes.

Police said Mr Freeman, also known as Desmond Filby, was last seen wearing dark green or khaki tracksuit pants, a dark green rain jacket, brown boots and reading glasses.

State bathed in blue to mark police tragedy

From Melbourne to Wodonga, major buildings and landmarks were lit up blue to pay tribute to the two police officers killed on Tuesday.

Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge was lit up in blue to commemorate the officers on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, Victoria Police revealed the identities of the two men shot deadin Porepunkah.

Vadim De Waart had been with the force for seven years and was on a temporary assignment in Wangaratta at the time of the shooting.

His colleague, Neal Thompson, was a 38-year veteran of the force and was nearing retirement prior to his death.

Detective Thompson and Senior Constable De Waart are the first Victoria Police officers to die on duty in more than three years, according to the Victoria Police Honour Roll.

The Wodonga Water Tower was illuminated with blue light on Wednesday night in tribute. (ABC News: Philippe Perez)none

Chief Commissioner Bush remembered the pair as “brave and fine” members.

“This devastating loss of Neal and Vadim has struck at the heart of Victoria Police, the broader policing family and the community of Porepunkah,” he said.

“In the coming days, weeks and months, we will all grieve this loss and deeply miss our colleagues and friends who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.”