Police have launched a five-day search for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman. Picture: Supplied.

Police have dropped a major bombshell hours into a fresh search for Dezi Freeman, announcing they “strongly believe” the fugitive is dead.

A new five-day search for Desmond ‘Dezi’ Freeman kicked off on Monday morning, five months after the 56-year-old allegedly shot and killed two police officers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart.

More than 100 officers were sent to scour a new section of bushland in the early hours of Monday morning, with officers, assisted by a cadaver dog, now searching for remains.

Police believe Freeman’s body is in the area, with Victoria Police Detective Inspector Adam Tilley revealing investigators are “comfortable” he is dead.

“There has been no information or intelligence has come forward, no proof of life since the 26th of August last year,” Mr Tilley said.

“We are comfortable that we don’t believe he is here alive. However, we are keeping an open mind that that is a possibility.

“We do believe strongly that he is in this area, deceased.”

A new search for Dezi Freeman will commence on Monday. Picture: Supplied

This is despite an extensive search of caves, mines and rivers in the dense bushland, officers had uncovered no evidence to suggest Freeman is still alive.

This week’s search will cover an area equivalent to the size of about 52 MCG ovals.

The search — as well as one back in December — was sparked after a member of the public came forward and said they heard a gunshot following the alleged fatal shooting.

“The reason why we conducted the search both in December and the reason we are conducting the search this week is based on information received,” Mr Tilley told reporters at a press conference.

“We have had a member of the public come forward and indicate to us, on that day, about 12.29pm this witness heard what they believe to be a gunshot in the vicinity of this area.”

Analysis of firearms testing helped police identify these search locations.

Mr Tilley said investigators are “comfortable” a gunshot was heard, as the person’s information was corroborated by other information obtained by police.

Detectives have scoured through more than 2000 pieces of information, with Mr Tilley calling it the country’s “largest operation”.

Mr Tilley urged people with information to come forward, even if they do share sovereign citizen-like beliefs.

“Even if you are on the side of sovereign citizens, we say, if Desmond Freeman is out there, he is armed and dangerous,” he said.

“And if you are looking after him, just be mindful that he can still cause harm to others in the community.

“If they’re protecting him in any way, I’d have concern.”

The search kicked off in Porepunkah on Monday morning. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Dallinger

More than 100 officers are set to search the bushland. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Dallinger

The fatal shooting unfolded as officers executed a search warrant in Porepunkah on August 26 last year, with a third officer left seriously injured.

The self-described “sovereign citizen” is believed to have fled on foot into dense bushland armed with guns.

More than 100 police, volunteers and specialists have set out to look for Freeman on Monday in an area adjoining the location of a search carried out in December.

Both of the searches followed intelligence about a gunshot heard shortly after the alleged shooting at Freeman’s Rayner Track property, Victoria Police said on Monday.

The gunshot was allegedly heard about 11.45am on August 26.

Crews sported backpacks, guns and walkie-talkies as they headed into the bushland on Monday morning, new photos from the scene have revealed.

Police dogs were also pictured at the Mount Buffalo National Park.

Victoria Police Detective Inspector Adam Tilley said officers wanted to give closure to the families of Mr Neal and Mr Vadim.

“This incident, which resulted in the deaths of Neal and Vadim, continues to have a significant impact on both Victoria Police and the Porepunkah community more broadly,” Mr Tilley said.

“The same three possibilities remain open to us – Freeman is either dead, being harboured, or has gotten out from the area and is surviving alone.

“At this time there is no intelligence to move us away from these possibilities or to make any one the more likely scenario, so we have to keep an open mind.

The search will run for five days. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Dallinger

“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, the other police impacted and the wider community.

“We will continue to do everything we can to achieve that.”

A $1m reward has been offered for anyone who provides information that leads to Freeman’s arrest.

Police scoured land nearby the new search area in December in hopes of finding his remains.

“Search teams were focused on identifying and locating evidence or the body of Freeman,” police said in December.

The alleged cop killer has been on the run since August 26, 2025. Picture: NewsWire / Jason Edwards

Police have conducted several searches for the alleged fugitive. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

The search encompassed 0.8862 sqkm of dense bushland and heavy terrain, with officers conducting line searches and clearing caves.

Crews from the Eastern Region, Search and Rescue, Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), drone unit and the dog squad, as well as two NSW Police Force cadaver dogs, were called in as part of the search.

Police have also undertaken extensive air searches of the park.

Since the shooting, police have investigated 1950 pieces of intelligence, including information from the public.

“The devastating loss of Neal and Vadim has struck at the heart of Victoria Police and had an enormous impact on the Porepunkah community,” Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien said at the time.

The new search will encompass the Mount Buffalo National Park. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“I want to reaffirm to the community that Victoria Police remains committed to doing everything we can – using every available resource and the necessary capabilities – to locate Desmond Freeman.

“We will maintain a presence in the community, and we are determined we will see this to resolution.”

Anyone who sees Freeman has been urged to not approach him and call triple-0 immediately.