UPDATE: Victoria Police have launched an urgent five-day search for the remains of Dezi Freeman, believed to be deceased following the fatal shootings of two police officers. The operation began on February 1, 2026, in the dense high country near Porepunkah, where Freeman was last seen fleeing into the bushland.
Authorities are focusing their efforts on a specific area based on intelligence from gunshot sounds heard shortly after the shootings. Detective Inspector Adam Tilley confirmed there have been no sightings of Freeman since the tragic events in late August, when Officers Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart were killed while serving a warrant at Freeman’s residence.
Detective Tilley stated, “We don’t believe that he is still in the area alive. We do believe strongly that he is in this area deceased.” This search marks a significant shift in the ongoing five-month manhunt for the 56-year-old fugitive.
Freeman’s wife, Mali Freeman, has remained out of the public eye since her husband’s disappearance. After the tragic incident, more than 400 police officers were deployed in a failed attempt to locate him. The search efforts now involve specialized teams and cadaver dogs, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
In December, law enforcement revealed their new focus on finding Freeman’s body, as they believed he had likely perished in the remote national park. The investigation has been supported by Taskforce Summit, which has sifted through thousands of tips from the public.
“What we want most is to see this through to resolution and hopefully provide answers and some level of comfort to Neal and Vadim’s families,” Detective Tilley added.
The tragic loss of Officers Thompson, who was just a week away from retirement, and de Waart-Hottart, who was on temporary assignment, has deeply impacted the community. A reward of $1 million has been offered for information leading to Freeman’s capture, the largest in Victoria’s history.
Local residents expressed surprise at the renewed search efforts, noting an influx of visitors to the area, suggesting a psychological boost for the community. Bright and District Chamber of Commerce President Marcus Warner stated, “It will be obviously a bit of a morale boost for the community that they’re back searching.”
As authorities continue their search, the situation remains fluid. Police are maintaining an open mind regarding three possibilities: Freeman is deceased, being harbored by others, or has managed to escape the area alone.
With the ongoing investigation and community support, police remain determined to bring closure to the families of the fallen officers. The next few days are critical as they work to uncover any trace of Freeman.
