No sign of Dezi Freeman as latest search ends in Mount Buffalo National Park

Man holding phone horizontally while wearing body camera on a property that looks like a farm with mountain in the background

The latest search for fugitive Dezi Freeman and any weapons he may have used has been wrapped up at Mount Buffalo National Park.

Victoria Police launched the five-day search on Monday and told the media they firmly believed that if Freeman was still in the area, he was dead.

 

Has Video Duration: 10 seconds.
Watch 

Police searching in the bush.

Victoria Police wrap up five-day search for Dezi Freeman

More than 100 police officers and volunteers, as well as two cadaver dogs trained to locate human remains, have scoured 1.3 square kilometres of steep, dense terrain in the state’s north east.

Police say there has been no evidence found to suggest Freeman is alive in the area since he fled from his Porepunkah property on August 26.

man walking through bush at sunrise

Police have been unable to find any sign of Dezi Freeman’s body or the weapons he may have been carrying.  (Supplied: Victoria Police)

On that day, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were shot dead while trying to serve a warrant at Freeman’s Rayner Track home, where he lived with his family.

A third officer suffered lower-body injuries.

After the shooting, Freeman fled into bushland with multiple firearms.

This week’s search was launched after a witness told police they heard a single gunshot in the area about two hours after Detective Thompson and Senior Constable de Waart-Hottart were killed.

Police have narrowed in on the new search area based on acoustic firearms testing conducted in November, after a witness told police they heard a gunshot about two hours after Mr Freeman fled into the bush.

Police conducted further acoustic firearm testing from the search area on Tuesday.

Police earlier this week would not confirm if they have identified what type of firearm was potentially heard by the witness.

“Police have tested a range of firearms at Porepunkah. We won’t be commenting on the specifics of that testing,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

They say they are dealing with three scenarios.

Freeman either died by suicide in bushland near his home, is still alive and being harboured by a supporter, or has escaped the region entirely.

A dog stands in a river

A dog working during this week’s search of tough terrain.  (Supplied: Victoria Police)

Police have also checked a range of cameras, including trail cameras, belonging to members of the public to search for any signs of Freeman, and continue to appeal to residents who may have footage that could assist the investigation.

Police have released limited details during the week’s search, but detectives have stressed the search for Mr Freeman will not end.