Dezi Freeman: New footage surfaces as Victorian police suggest alleged cop killer is dead

Police have provided an update on the ongoing search for Desmond ‘Dezi’ Freeman, confirming the third day of a five-day operation has concluded.

Dozens of officers and search dogs were deployed in Victoria’s northeast as part of the ongoing manhunt.

Images and video released by police show dozens of officers and search dogs combing dense bushland in Victoria’s northeast on the third day of a fresh five-day search.

“The search has concluded for today and there are no further updates at this time”, a police spokesman said.

The five-day search kicked off Monday, with revelations that police had determined the search area through intelligence received about a gunshot heard in the region in the hours after two police officers were shot dead in nearby Porepunkah last August.

Dezi Freeman, formerly Filby, allegedly gunned down two police officers at a remote Porepunkah property, in Victoria’s northeast, on August 26, while they were trying to execute a search warrant.

Detective, leading senior constable Neal Thompson and senior constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were killed, and a third police officer was seriously injured during the alleged shooting.

Police last saw the 56-year-old flee into bushland near the Rayner Track property after the fatal incident, armed with guns.

Freeman, a self-described sovereign citizen, is a married father of two and an experienced bushman who has previously been hostile towards police and the judicial system.

A large-scale manhunt involving hundreds of Victoria Police officers, Australian Defence Force personnel, Australian Federal Police and officers from other states has scoured the region using heat-detecting assets and other technology.

A $1 million reward has been offered to anyone who provides information that leads to his arrest.

Hours into Monday’s fresh search, Victoria Police dropped a major development, announcing they “strongly believe” Freeman is deceased.

More than 100 officers scoured a new section of bushland with assistance from cadaver dogs.

Detective Inspector Adam Tilley told reporters that investigators are “comfortable” Freeman is dead, noting there has been no proof of life since the fatal incident.

“There has been no information or intelligence come forward, no proof of life since the 26th of August last year,” Inspector Tilley said.

“We are comfortable that we don’t believe he is here alive. However, we are keeping an open mind that that is a possibility.

“We do believe strongly that he is in this area, deceased.”

The search this week was sparked after a member of the public came forward, reporting hearing what they believed to be a gunshot shortly after the alleged fatal shooting.

Analysis of firearms testing helped police identify the specific search locations, with investigators confident the witness’s account was corroborated by other intelligence.

Detective Inspector Tilley described the investigation as the country’s “largest operation,” with detectives having reviewed more than 2000 pieces of information.

He urged anyone with knowledge to come forward, even if they hold sovereign citizen-like beliefs.

Anyone who sees Freeman has been urged not to approach him and call triple-0 immediately.