Police seize multiple guns from fugitive Dezi Freeman's wife as hunt expands

Police confiscated a number of guns from the wife of fugitive Dezi Freeman shortly after he allegedly killed two police officers last month. The weapons were not used to shoot senior constables Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart, police said, and were taken from Freeman's wife, Amalia, who holds a firearms license and has not been accused of breaking any laws. Freeman, 56, has now been on the run for 25 days after vanishing following the shooting during a search of his remote Porepunkah property. Authorities previously banned him from owning guns, a restriction he challenged in court last year when he protested in the Supreme Court about the licence cancellation. Victoria Police declined to specify why the firearms were taken from Amalia Freeman, saying the case is an active investigation and they would not comment further. Amalia Freeman has been interviewed in relation to obstructing police on the day of the fatal incident, and detectives indicated she may be charged in due course.

Freeman remains an experienced bushman who has long cultivated survival skills, and investigators have said he is believed to be moving through rugged terrain in far north-eastern Victoria. He is described by authorities as a self-proclaimed sovereign citizen who has previously portrayed himself as a victim in legal fights over gun ownership. The search has focused on isolated bushland around Mount Buffalo, where authorities say the fugitive could be sheltering among the region's rugged landscapes. More than 125 specialist officers have scoured the area so far, and investigators have warned of the potential for Freeman to rely on supplies cached in advance or to receive help from others while on the run.

High-tech surveillance remains a central tool in the hunt. Police have deployed long-range systems that combine high-resolution telescopic cameras with microwave boosters, setting up multiple observation points across the Mount Buffalo region to capture detailed imagery from a distance. The use of such equipment reflects the scale of the operation and the difficulty of locating a person who has demonstrated proficiency in moving undetected through thick bushland. Officials stress that the goal is to locate Freeman safely and quickly, with safety for officers and the public as the top priority.

In parallel with the physical search, authorities have monitored online activity around Freeman, expressing concern about online support networks that may assist him. A $1 million reward has been offered for information leading to Freeman’s capture, underscoring the seriousness of the case and the resources being dedicated to the investigation. Freeman is a father of three and has been described by acquaintances as someone who could disappear into the wilderness for weeks at a time, relying on his knowledge of the terrain rather than conventional shelter and supplies. The ongoing operation illustrates the challenge police face in tracking a fugitive who has cultivated a reputation for resourcefulness and who is believed to be moving between remote properties and secluded bushland.

Authorities have visited at least 100 properties associated with Freeman or his alleged associates as part of the inquiry, issuing stern warnings to those suspected of harbouring him. The case has drawn attention to the complexities of manhunts in rugged rural areas and the potential for illicit networks or sympathetic supporters to influence the pursuit. The Victoria Police update on the case has stressed a careful, protected approach to information sharing with the public to avoid compromising investigative steps while keeping communities informed about the latest developments.