Dezi Freeman: Mining experts worry alleged cop killer may have taken a ‘forever nap’ in mine shaft

There are fears self-proclaimed ‘sovereign citizen’ and accused cop-killer Dezi Freeman may never be found if he has secreted himself deep inside one of the many mineshafts in the area where police are searching.

As the search for Mr Freeman entered day 11, thousands of local residents, politicians and emergency services prepared to bury one of their own — Sen. Const. Vadim De Waart-Hottart — at a funeral in Glen Waverley.

It comes as Victoria’s Chief Commissioner Mike Bush committed more resources to the already massive search, scouring dense bushland.

Christopher Bogusis and Kyle Cranfield told News.com.au that the 56-year-old may have found refuge in one of the unused mine shafts that dot the ranges to escape the cold overnight temperatures.

But Mr Cranfield said that while the tunnels provided warmth and protection they were very dangerous for those who didn’t understand how they worked.

“CO2 (carbon dioxide) will sit and pool in a mine, you may, at the entrance, be fine, you may even walk into it and be fine … but once you go down below a certain level, it will just pool there,” he said.

“(If) you lie down in there to take a sleep, you are never getting back out, that’s your forever nap.”

The frustrations for police became evident as the funerals for the two officers killed grew closer.

Speaking at a media conference on Wednesday, Mr Bush said the search for Freeman was “extremely complex, difficult, challenging”.

“You’re here, you’re in the environment. You, of all people, can understand the complexity and the challenges of searching for a person in this environment,” he said.

“It’s extremely challenging.

“We have the best people at this task and I have full confidence that everything they’re doing is what needs to be done.”

Police confirmed they have so far searched more than 100 properties.

“We will find the person responsible and we will locate them and put them before the courts,” Mr Bush said.

“This person is armed and extremely dangerous.

“That adds whole new complexity to this investigation.”

It was hope that the alleged murderer would be in custody prior to Friday and before the funerals of the fallen officers.

Extra police have been deployed to Porepunkah and the surrounding area for Sen. Const. De Waart-Hottart’s funeral, ahead of Det-Const. Neal Thompson’s farewell on Monday.

Travellers and locals have been told to avoid the areas of Bright, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham in the high country and find alternate routes.