Dezi Freeman’s hidden camp revealed as property owner surfaces and police hunt alleged accomplices

New images have revealed the off-grid makeshift camp where Australia’s most wanted fugitive spent his final weeks, as the owner of the property came forward and police intensify efforts to identify anyone who may have helped Dezi Freeman stay hidden for more than seven months.

Freeman, 56, was shot dead by specialist officers on Monday morning, ending one of the most extensive manhunts in Victoria’s history.

The operation reached its climax after a prolonged standoff at an isolated property at Thologolong, near the New South Wales border, where Freeman had been sheltering inside a modified shipping container surrounded by vehicles, debris and dense bushland.

The discovery of the hideout – more than 150km from where Freeman was last seen – offers the clearest picture of how he managed to avoid detection for more than 200 days.

Images from the scene show a cluttered rural property dotted with shipping containers, abandoned cars, caravans and machinery, partially obscured by trees and set well back from the road.

A large white shipping container formed the centre of Freeman’s living area, with a green awning attached and supported by poles. Beneath it sat two camping chairs and a basic outdoor setup, including a small stove, cooking equipment and a single plate on a fold-out table.

Gas bottles, bins, cleaning tools and an overturned barbecue were nearby, while tarpaulins, empty drums and scattered items stretched across the site. A kayak and dinghy lay overturned among dozens of vehicles parked irregularly across the property.

Footage from the scene also showed an armoured BearCat vehicle positioned beside the container, its mechanical “claw” used to breach the structure during the operation.

Police said the property’s isolation and layout made it well suited for someone attempting to remain undetected.

Investigators believe Freeman may have been living there for weeks.

Meanwhile, the property’s owner, Richard Sutherland, reportedly contacted police after learning of the siege while in remote eastern Tasmania.

The 75-year-old, who has been staying with family due to serious illness, is not suspected of any wrongdoing.

A friend of Mr Sutherland told The Age he had no knowledge Freeman was on the land and was “not in any way sympathetic” to his beliefs.

The property had reportedly been unattended for months, with the gate left open earlier this year to allow fire crews access following nearby bushfires.

Police are now examining whether Freeman received assistance while on the run, with Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush indicating it would have been difficult for him to reach or remain at the location without help.

“We’re very keen to learn who, if any, but I’m sure some, assisted him in getting away from Porepunkah to where he was located … and who supported him in his escapade,” he said.

“If anyone was complicit, they will be held to account.”

Authorities say no one else was at the property during Monday’s operation, but multiple vehicles were found and inquiries are continuing into who may have accessed the site in recent weeks.

The operation brought to an end a 216-day search that began on August 26, when Freeman shot dead Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 35, and seriously wounded a third officer during a warrant at his Porepunkah property.

The killings triggered a major police response, involving specialist units and extensive searches across Victoria’s alpine region.

For months, investigators considered the possibility Freeman had died in the bush, with no confirmed sightings despite more than 2000 public tip-offs.

According to reports, fresh information emerged last week after concerns were raised by people believed to have had contact with Freeman, leading police to the property near Walwa.

Officers moved in before dawn on Monday, surrounding the container and attempting to negotiate for several hours.

“We appealed for nigh on three hours for him to come up, come out and give himself up,” Mr Bush said.

“He said enough during that conversation to confirm he was the person we were looking for.”

After negotiations failed, police escalated their response, breaching the container and deploying irritants to force him out.

Freeman then exited wrapped in bedding and carrying a firearm.

“I have seen video of the deceased leaving the building and presenting a firearm at our officers,” Mr Bush said.

“That action took away any discretion our officers had to resolve this peacefully.”

He was shot dead shortly after 8.30am. No officers were injured.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Freeman’s death was “good, in a word,” calling Freeman a “reprehensible criminal”.

“I just don’t have any sympathy for him. That’s my position,” he told ABC Melbourne.

Mr Albanese said Freeman “always was going to be brought to justice and it’s clear that he was always going to fight it out”.

“So he made the decision to murder these police officers, and he made the decision to try to fight it out and to not give himself up or go through a legal process.”

Mr Albanese said Freeman had “the mentality of the sovereign citizens”.

“The head of ASIO made very clear warnings about what this ideology represents. They don’t respect any processes. They regard the police and government and our entire society as not being legitimate, and they place themselves outside it, and they represent a risk to others,” he said.

“And Dezi Freeman’s ideology led him to murder in cold blood two police officers.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the end of the search would bring some relief to affected communities.

“This incident has hung like a dark, dark shadow over these communities,” she said.

“That shadow has been lifted somewhat.”

“It will never be over for those families.”

Freeman’s son, Koah, expressed his grief online, while condemning those celebrating his father’s death.

“I am the eldest son of the Freeman family. And I am not here to defend my father’s actions because I know what he did was wrong,” he posted on the Bright and District Noticeboard.

“I hope you all realise that I am looking at everything you’s are saying, and that you all realise how that is making me feel.”

Police have confirmed the shooting will be subject to a coronial investigation, along with an internal review, as is standard procedure.