Australia is in the midst of its largest tactical policing effort after two officers were killed during what began as a routine operation in the state’s northeast. The normally tranquil community of Porepunkah has become the command center for an extraordinary manhunt now stretching into its third week.
The violence unfolded on August 26, 2025, when a team of officers went to a rural property outside the town. Authorities allege that the suspect, Dezi Freeman—who has also been known as Desmond Filby—fired upon police. Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 35, lost their lives, while another officer was gravely injured. Freeman then slipped into the surrounding wilderness on foot.
Since then, the search has grown into a massive operation, involving over 125 specialist officers and reinforcements from interstate and across the Tasman. Search teams have been pushing through some of the country’s most unforgiving landscapes: cliffs, rivers, thick forests, and labyrinths of caves. Abandoned cabins and disused mine shafts have also been systematically checked, but investigators say there has been no reliable trace of Freeman since the day of the attack.
Detectives are examining several theories, including the possibility that the fugitive is sheltering in the high country, relying on assistance from others, or that he may not have survived the alpine conditions. Authorities continue to warn that he is dangerous and should not be approached.
The government has offered a $1 million reward for information, and more than 1,100 tips from the public are being reviewed. Following the shootings, Mount Buffalo National Park was closed and travel restrictions were imposed around Porepunkah. While some limitations have eased, the town remains heavily patrolled, with businesses reporting a steep fall in visitors and locals describing an atmosphere of unease.
The deaths of Thompson and de Waart-Hottart have left Victoria Police reeling, with tributes pouring in nationwide. As the unprecedented search continues, the people of Porepunkah remain on edge, waiting for answers as Australia’s largest-ever manhunt pushes forward.
