Six months after two police officers were killed in Porepunkah, the man accused of carrying out the shooting remains missing. Dezi Freeman fled into dense bushland near Mount Buffalo after the incident last August and has not been seen since. Police had arrived at his property with a warrant connected to a child abuse investigation when Detective Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart were fatally shot. Authorities immediately launched a massive search operation across steep mountain slopes, snow covered ground, caves, rivers and abandoned huts, but no confirmed trace of Freeman has been found.
Investigators have reviewed more than two thousand public tips and offered a one million Australian dollar reward for information. Interstate and federal officers have assisted in the ongoing operation. Freeman, also known as Desmond Filby, was reportedly linked to the sovereign citizen movement, which rejects government authority. Police recently stated they strongly believe he may have died shortly after fleeing, possibly from a self inflicted gunshot, though there is still no physical evidence to confirm this theory.
The tragedy has left a lasting impact on the small tourist town. Visitor numbers dropped sharply after warnings that Freeman was armed and dangerous, placing financial strain on local businesses. While government grants have offered temporary relief, residents remain frustrated by constant media attention and unanswered questions. Community events have been organised to help restore normality, yet uncertainty continues to linger as police maintain they will not end the search until they have definitive answers.
