Police are investigating whether Dezi Freeman had installed air vents while hiding in the shipping container in Victoria’s northwest before he was fatally shot on Monday.

Police are investigating a possible major clue into how Dezi Freeman managed to evade police in a shipping contains during the gruelling summer months in Victoria’s northwest before his death.

The fugitive is reported to have been shot more than 20 times by police about 8.30am on Monday in Thologolong along the Victoria-NSW border, ending a seven-month manhunt for the double cop killer.

Police are probing whether others helped Freeman in the escape from police. Picture: NewsWire/ Jason Edwards

Officers from the Special Operations Group (SOG) swarmed a white shipping container about 5.30am on Monday, launching a tense three-hour standoff with Freeman, who refused to surrender despite negotiations with police.

SOG officers then used a BearCat “claw” to coax the fugitive out, launching stun grenades into the shipping container.

The fugitive was killed after more than seven months on the run.

Police said Freeman was wrapped in nothing but a blanket and holding a gun he stole from one of the officers he killed in August.

He was shot more than 20 times and ended up looking like “Swiss cheese”, a source told the Herald Sun.

Freeman was coaxed out of the container with a BearCat claw. Picture: 7NEWS,

Police are now working to determine how long Freeman had been in the hiding place before his eventual capture and death.

Detectives have been combing through the scene to determine if Freeman had any assistance or was harboured by someone throughout the seven-month manhunt.

Anyone found to have assisted Freeman may face up to 20 years in prison.

Images from the crime scene show a slew of shipping containers, vehicles, overturned boats and trucks surrounded by rubbish, deck chairs and cooking utensils.

Police are probing who purchased air vents for the storage container where Dezi Freeman was hiding out. Picture: 7News

The back of the shipping container has been swung open, revealing the conditions Freeman lived in while in hiding.

On the roof appears to be spinning air ducts, which may have been used to keep Freeman cool during the hot summer months while hiding from the public.

As part of the investigation, detectives will have to work backwards to determine who purchased the vents and helped install them in the shipping containers.

A ladder was propped up beside the shipping container in the vicinity of the airconditioning vents.

Detectives are investigating whether Freeman was alone or had assistance in hiding from the police during the seven-month saga.

Outside the shipping container is a green awning with fold-out tables and chairs.

A portable barbecue and plates sitting nearby may indicate Freeman was with others before his death.

Air vents on top of the shipping containers where Freeman was found. Picture: 7News

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said it was more than likely Freeman had assistance in getting from Porepunkah to the Murray River Rd residence.

“It would be very difficult for him to get where he was without assistance,” Mr Bush said.

“We will be speaking to anyone we suspect has assisted him in avoiding detection and arrest.”

Mr Bush said Freeman was the only person at the rural property when he was found and killed, but he believed others may have helped him escape or harboured him.

“(It is) very important for us to understand how long he’s been here and who else was complicit in getting him here and then caring for him or providing him with food and other things to this point,” Mr Bush said.