Stalled manhunt: Police admit public key to finding fugitive as new taskforce formed

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Police have admitted that finding alleged police killer Dezi Freeman will rely on a public tip-off, after making no progress since he vanished into bushland near Mount Buffalo in late August.

The manhunt will now be led by a new, dedicated taskforce called Taskforce Summit, led by an anti-gangs detective inspector and comprising a team of specialist officers drawn from across the force. The new unit will be based in the Great Alpine area.

Alleged Porepunkah gunman Dezi Freeman, pictured in 2018.

“Victoria Police remains committed to using every available resource and the necessary capabilities to find Freeman. This investigation is far from over,” Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien said.

“However, we do believe it will only be brought to resolution through assistance from members of the public. I strongly urge anyone with any information at all, no matter how small you think it may be, to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.”

This includes sightings of Freeman or local chatter about the fugitive or suspicious activity on properties around Porepunkah, where Freeman lived and was last seen.

“Whatever it is, we want to hear from you,” O’Brien said.

Freeman allegedly shot dead Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 34, while they were executing a warrant at a property where Freeman lived.

He allegedly injured a third officer before fleeing into the surrounding bushland of Porepunkah, about 300 kilometres north of Melbourne.

Police said 10 officers attended the property to execute the warrant. Freeman fled with the slain officers’ guns and has not been seen since.

The Homicide Squad will continue to lead the investigation into the police deaths, and public order response officers will remain in nearby Bright and Myrtleford, where there’s been an increase in local patrols and police numbers.

Police have previously said they believed Freeman could have died since fleeing or he may have been aided by associates.

Detectives have investigated more than 1700 pieces of intelligence and searched hundreds of properties, mine shafts and remote corners of Mount Buffalo National Park.

A $1 million reward has been offered for information leading to Freeman’s arrest.

“Despite these extensive searches and enquiries, police have not located Desmond Freeman,” a police spokesperson said.

Mount Buffalo National Park, which was closed after the shootings, was partially reopened on October 14, and fully reopened on Friday.

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