Dezi Freeman, a 56-year-old man, is the accused gunman who is the focus of an ongoing manhunt in Victoria, Australia. He is suspected of killing two police officers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, during a confrontation at a property in Porepunkah.

What is the status of the search for Dezi Freeman?

The search for Dezi Freeman has been ongoing for five days as of August 30th, 2025. Hundreds of police officers have been deployed to the Porepunkah area, scouring the rugged high country in an effort to locate the fugitive. However, the search has been hampered by harsh weather conditions, including thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, and freezing temperatures.

How have the weather conditions impacted the search for Dezi Freeman?

The extreme weather conditions in the Porepunkah area have significantly impacted the search for Dezi Freeman. Temperatures have dropped below 6 degrees Celsius, with wind gusts of over 60 kilometers per hour. Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and even blizzard-like conditions have made the search efforts more challenging for the police. Despite these obstacles, the authorities have stated that they are "very used to working in inclement conditions" and that the search for Freeman remains their top priority.

Home / Crime and Justice / Accused Cop Killer Eludes Authorities Amid Harsh Weather in Victoria Manhunt

Accused Cop Killer Eludes Authorities Amid Harsh Weather in Victoria Manhunt

30 Aug

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Summary

Manhunt for accused gunman Dezi Freeman enters 5th day
Freeman accused of killing 2 police officers in Porepunkah
Extreme weather conditions hamper search efforts

As of August 30th, 2025, the search for a dangerous fugitive accused of killing two police officers in Victoria, Australia has been ongoing for five days. Authorities have been scouring the rugged high country near the town of Porepunkah, about 300 kilometers northeast of Melbourne, in an effort to locate the suspect, 56-year-old Dezi Freeman.

Freeman is accused of fatally shooting Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, during a confrontation at a property in Porepunkah on Tuesday. He then fled into the surrounding bushland, prompting a massive manhunt that has involved over 450 police officers.

The search efforts have been hampered by harsh weather conditions, including thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, and blizzard-like winds. Temperatures in the area have plummeted below 6 degrees Celsius, with gusts of more than 60 kilometers per hour. Despite the challenges, Chief Commissioner Mike Bush stated that the police are "very used to working in inclement conditions" and that the search for Freeman remains their "number one priority."

In addition to the ongoing manhunt, authorities have also had to contend with various protest activities planned for the weekend in Melbourne, which will require a significant police presence to ensure the safety of those participating peacefully.

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