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The wife of Dezi Freeman will not be charged with obstructing a police investigation into the fatal shooting of two police officers at Porepunkah, after the Office of Public Prosecutions found there was insufficient evidence to support a conviction.
Victoria Police confirmed on Friday that Amalia (Mali) Freeman, 42, and a 56-year-old man from Porepunkah had been interviewed in relation to the offence of “indictable obstruction of police” by detectives from Taskforce Summit, but the brief of evidence had not been authorised by prosecutors.
A police spokeswoman said the briefs were independently reviewed, which also determined a prosecution was unlikely.
A third person had been interviewed regarding an attempted theft but would also avoid charges, according to the spokeswoman, who said any further information received by detectives involved in the case would be “thoroughly assessed and acted on as appropriate”.
The OPP decision to not lay charges has frustrated many officers involved in the investigation, according to a senior police source who is not authorised to speak on behalf of the force.
Dezi Freeman remains the subject of a six-month manhunt since allegedly fatally shooting police officers Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart, and injuring a third, at a remote property in Porepunkah on August 26.
Four days after the double homicide, Mali Freeman, 42, and a 15-year-old boy were taken into custody during a raid at a separate Porepunkah home before being interviewed by police and released.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush confirmed on August 30 that the pair were the suspected gunman’s partner and son in a press conference, but did not divulge details about the basis of their arrests.
Mali Freeman subsequently released a statement, via her lawyer, urging her 56-year-old husband to surrender and for anyone harbouring him to come forward to the police.
“On behalf of my children and myself, I wish to share our deep sorrow for the loss of the lives of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart on 26 August 2025,” the 42-year-old, who has three children with Freeman, said in the statement.
“We are truly sorry for your loss, and the suffering and grief that the families, friends and colleagues of Detective Leading Senior Constable Thompson and Senior Constable De Waart are now experiencing. My children and I grieve for the loss of your loved ones.”
She insisted that she did not share her husband’s anti-authority views.
A police spokesman said the force would maintain an enhanced presence in the local Porepunkah and Mount Buffalo National Park areas. However, senior officers and detectives from Taskforce Summit have publicly conceded that Freeman may not be alive.
A reward of up to $1 million remains in place for information leading to Freeman’s arrest.
Anyone with any information on Freeman’s location should be reported to Crime Stoppers Victoria via 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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