Victoria Police Maintain Open Mind on Fugitive's Fate Amid Extensive Search Operation
Victoria Police are maintaining an open mind regarding the possibility that fugitive Dezi Freeman could still be alive and on the run, despite strong indications that he may have perished. The 56-year-old man, also known as Desmond Filby, vanished after allegedly fatally shooting two police officers at his Porepunkah property in northeast Victoria on August 26, 2025.
Massive Search Efforts Yield No Concrete Leads
Hundreds of police officers have conducted extensive ground and aerial searches across the region, targeting the self-described sovereign citizen without success. The search intensified this week with a new five-day operation following information about a gunshot heard shortly after the fatal incident.
Detective Inspector Adam Tilley addressed the media, stating that while police do not believe Freeman remains in the immediate area and consider it very likely he is deceased, they cannot completely rule out alternative scenarios. "There has been no information or intelligence that has come forward, no proof of life since the 26th of August last year," Tilley explained.
Gunshot Report Sparks Renewed Investigation
Approximately two hours after the shooting spree, a member of the public reported hearing what they believed to be a gunshot in the area. Police have corroborated this report through undisclosed methods, leading to firearms tests in November and subsequent searches in Mount Buffalo National Park during December.
"We have done extensive searching of the caves, the mines, the huts, the rivers," Tilley emphasized. "We are comfortable we don't believe that he is here alive however we are keeping an open mind that is a possibility."
Three Possible Scenarios Remain Under Consideration
Police continue to work with three potential scenarios: Freeman may be deceased, could be receiving assistance from others, or might have escaped the area and be surviving independently. The gunshot report represents the strongest information currently available to investigators.
"I'm not saying that he is 100 per cent confirmed dead," Tilley clarified. "I am saying there is a strong possibility that he is deceased on Mount Buffalo and we just haven't located him."
Substantial Search Area and Specialized Resources
The current search operation covers an area equivalent to 52 MCG ovals, adjoining the zone searched in December. Specialized teams including the Search and Rescue Squad and Critical Incident Response Team are participating, supported by a cadaver dog from New South Wales Police.
Tilley stressed the ongoing commitment to the investigation regardless of this week's outcomes. "This will not finish, this will continue," he affirmed. "We hope to have answers this week but if we don't, this is the number one priority for Victoria Police."
Additional Investigations and Substantial Reward
Police continue to investigate alleged historical sexual offences against Freeman, which prompted the original warrant execution at his property. Authorities urge anyone with information about Freeman or his whereabouts to come forward, with a reward of up to $1 million available for information leading to his arrest.
The detective inspector concluded with a poignant reminder of the human cost: "We are dedicated, we are motivated, we've lost two colleagues and have a third member that's seriously injured. We will not stop."
