Dezi Freeman’s time on the run came to a dramatic end on Monday morning when police swarmed on the rural Victorian property he had been hiding out in.

The 56-year-old refused to surrender peacefully and after emerging from a shipping container armed with a gun was shot dead by police.

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Hosted by Michael Usher and Mike Amor, 7NEWS: The Dezi Freeman Hunt Over delves into how authorities closed in on Victoria’s most wanted man.

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Forensic police investigate shipping container

On Tuesday forensic police started combing the area where Freeman was hiding out.

They were seen placing markers and taking photos of various items on the property.

Inside one of the shipping containers there appeared to be rolled up carpet and a backpack.

Inside one of the shipping containers. Credit: 7NEWS Forensic police on the property. Credit: 7NEWS

Former detective says police likely didn’t lie about Freeman being dead

A former detective and hostage negotiator said he doesn’t think police were lying when they said late last year that they thought Freeman was dead.

During a five-day search of the Mount Buffalo National Park In early December police confirmed they were now looking for Freeman’s body.

Police further reiterated their beliefs in Febuary, 2026 when Detective Inspector Adam Tilley said it was very likely Freeman was dead.

“There has been no information or intelligence (that) has come forward, no proof of life since the 26th of August last year,” he said at the time.

Macquarie University criminology lecturer Dr Vincent Hurley, who was with the NSW Police Force for 29 years, said it would have been a “big call” for police to lie about the possibility Freeman was dead as an investigative tactic.

“I think the phrase that police used was that there was no proof of life which was probably true, but that doesn’t mean that he’s dead it just means that they can’t particularly find him and the reason I say it’s a big call is because if it comes out later at the coroner’s court … and it’s found that the police intentionally lied to the public, that will undermine the confidence that the public have in the police for any future investigation … or any other serious case.”

“I believe that they would have believed that at the time based on the information they had at the time.”

Freeman would have been given the chance to surrender peacefully, Hurley said, as that is always a negotiator’s first option.

Police would have assessed the 56-year-old’s mental capacity to understand instructions.

“The police would have been there for a couple of days to observe him to see if he was still armed, to work out his movements (and) habits during that day to see if anyone else was actually assisting him and if he had any food,” Hurely said.

“So it would have been really well planned and it would have been planned days in advance.”

However the stand-off was never going to end well as Freeman was “wedded” to his political ideology no matter what, Hurley said.

“He was just never going to change his mind and it was going to end tragically in tears.”

Former NSW detective and hostage negotiator and Macquarie University criminology lecturer Dr Vincent Hurley. Credit: 7NEWS

Freeman may have been staying at rural property since December

The family of the owner of the Thologolong property where Dezi had been hiding has said they have no connection to the fugitive, 7NEWS understands.

All of the cars, shipping containers and other items seen on the property were already there before Freeman arrived.

The owner has not been to the property since around Christmas, therefore it’s believed Freeman had been hiding out there for the past couple of months.

It’s understood all of the items at the Thologolong property were already there before Dezi Freeman arrived. Credit: 7NEWS

“Dezi” spray painted on sign near fugitive’s hideout

A street sign is seen with “Dezi” spray painted on it near by the scene where Freeman was shot dead in Thologolong.

A street sign is seen with “Dezi” spray painted on it near the property where fugitive Dezi Freeman was shot dead in Thologolong, Victoria on March 30. Credit: AAP

A timeline of the police investigation into Dezi Freeman

August 26, 2025

Ten officers were executing a search warrant at Freeman’s home in Porepunkah in northeast Victoria on August 26, 2025 when Freeman opened fire.

The search warrant was in relation to alleged historical sexual offences that had happened in the past two years.

Three officers were hit during the gunfire including Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35 who were tragically killed.

The third officer, who has never been named publicly, suffered serious injuries to his leg.

August 28

A few days after the deadly shooting Freeman’s wife Mali, 42, as well as his 15-year-old son were both arrested at a Porepunkah property during a police raid.

They were both released and no charges were laid.

September 5

Funeral held for Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart.

September 6

Police announce a $1 million reward for Freeman’s arrest, the largest reward offered for an arrest in Victoria’s history.

September 7

Funeral held for Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson.

September 10

Screenshots emerge from a video showing the moments police executed the search warrant and confronted Freeman as he barricaded himself inside a bus.

The video, understood to have gone for more than 20 minutes showed officers, including Thompson, try to reason with Freeman.

In the video, Freeman refuses to open the bus door as officers explained they had a warrant.

“Leave us alone, leave us alone,” Freeman reportedly shouted in the video.

October 6

Freeman’s brother says he believes the fugitive is already dead on Mount Buffalo near his property.

October 24

Victoria Police announce Taskforce Summit as the dedicated team leading the search for Freeman.

It comprised of detectives from Crime Command, specialist resources from the Fugitive Squad, Armed Crime Squad, VIPER Taskforce, Special Operations Group and Search and Rescue Squad.

Mount Buffalo National Park, which is located not far from where Freeman was living and where the alleged shooting occurred, also fully opened back up to the public.

It had been closed while officers scoured the area as officers believed he may have fled into the park.

November 9

Police investigate witness reports of a single gunshot fired near Freeman’s property on the day of the shooting.

Investigators conducted firearms tests in the area earlier that week.

December 5

During a five-day search of the Mount Buffalo National Park police confirmed they were now looking for Freeman’s body.

February 2, 2026

Police announce a new major five-day search for Freeman.

Detective Inspector Adam Tilley said police did not believe Freeman was still in the area and that it was very likely he was dead.

“There has been no information or intelligence (that) has come forward, no proof of life since the 26th of August last year,” he said at the time

March 30

Police descend on a rural property in Thologolong following days of surveillance.

A three-hour stand-off between police ensues and Freeman is shot dead.

A complete timelines of events following the fatal shooting of two police officers in Porepunkah, Victoria in August 2025.

(Source: 7NEWS)

A complete timelines of events following the fatal shooting of two police officers in Porepunkah, Victoria in August 2025.

By Molly Rose Magennis

6 hours ago

Freeman’s body moved from rural property

Freeman’s body was removed from his hideout in Thologolong overnight.

Police remain at the property on Tuesday as they sift through evidence and the fugitive’s belongings.

Freeman’s hideout in Thologolong. Credit: 7NEWS

By Molly Rose Magennis

7 hours ago

What do we know about Dezi Freeman?

Dezi Freeman was born Desmond Filby and had three children.

He was a self-proclaimed “sovereign citizen” who has made no secret of his hatred for police and the government, causing family members and friends to distance themselves.

Sovereign citizens, also known as pseudo-law adherents, believe they don’t need to follow laws passed by Parliament if they don’t consent to them.

They have a particular hatred for state authorities including local governments and the tax office.

Freeman was also an experienced bushman and bushcraft expert.

His wife Mali Freeman, 42, and 15-year-old son were arrested in Porepunkah a few days after the shooting.

The pair were interviewed by police but released pending further inquiries.

In 2024 Freeman fronted court over driving offences.

According to court documents Freeman referred to the police in his evidence as “frigging Nazis”, “Gestapo” and “terrorist thugs”.

Dezi Freeman. Credit: 7NEWS

By Molly Rose Magennis

7 hours ago

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner visits hideout

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush visited Freeman’s hideout on Monday evening.

Bush travelled to Thologolong from Melbourne following a press conference in the morning.

Police are still canvassing the area and will seize any items they deem of interest.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush walking into the property where Dezi Freeman was hiding out on Monday evening. Credit: 7NEWS Bush and other police officers at the scene. Credit: 7NEWS

By Molly Rose Magennis

8 hours ago

Local mayor speaks after shooting

Alpine Shire Mayor Sarah Nicholas said the community had been “deeply affected” by the shooting in August last year and that there would be continued support for all residents going forward.

In a statement on Facebook Nicholas said the tragedy in Porepunkah had a “significant impact on many individuals and families”.

“We will be doing everything we can to continue supporting our community through this difficult time,” she said.

“If these events have been distressing or triggering, we encourage community members to reach out for support.

“This may be as simple as talking with someone you trust, spending time with a friend, getting outdoors, or connecting with one of the many support services available.”

By Molly Rose Magennis

8 hours ago

Former detective says Freeman’s capture was ‘never going to end well’

Former Victoria Police Detective Charlie Bezzina said Freeman’s capture was “never going to end well” and was not surprised at how long he was able to evade police.

Bezzina said the self-described sovereign citizen was never going to give up.

“He wasnt going to commit suicide, he was gonna come out fighting there’s no two ways about it,” he said.

The investigation will now focus on whoever helped Freeman hide for the last seven months, Bezzina said.

“He got there by some assistance. He’s been sustained by some people at that location and they are the ones that will be targeted by the Victoria Police at the moment,” he said.

“I think he was taken up there and looked after in that regard and putting themselves at risk in relation to being charged by the police and they’ll come in heavy and we then expect the courts to follow suit.”

Bezzina said he wasn’t surprised that it took police so long to find the fugitive given Victoria was a “pretty big place”.

“The fact is people can live next door and you don’t even know it,” he said.

“He didnt have a very big association base, he didn’t have the contacts, he would have not had money access to go anywhere so he’s pretty well confined so its not surprisng at all and I think they were confident to say he was still in the state because he just didn’t have the means to escape the state nor the country.”

Former Victoria Police Detective Charlie Bezzina. Credit: 7NEWS