Search for Dezi Freeman Advances as Mount Buffalo National Park Reopens to Visitors

Share and Follow

Victoria Police have announced a new taskforce will take the lead in the search for alleged cop killer Desmond (Dezi) Freeman, as the national park where he was thought to have fled partially reopens to the public.

From Friday, the Taskforce Summit, which will be based in the Great Alpine Area, will take primacy in the ongoing manhunt, the police said.

The taskforce will be led by a detective inspector from the state’s Anti-Gangs Division and will include detectives from Crime Command, as well as specialist resources from the Fugitive Squad, Armed Crime Squad, VIPER Taskforce, Special Operations Group, Search and Rescue Squad, and local Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems members.

Police said tactical officers, the Public Order Response Team and other specialist resources have searched large areas of the Mount Buffalo National Park in north-east Victoria, which will partially reopen to the public on Friday.

The park has remained closed since August 26, following a tragic incident where two police officers were reportedly shot and killed. This occurred as law enforcement attempted to serve a search warrant at a residence in Porepunkah, located approximately 300 kilometers north-east of Melbourne.

Police said they will continue to maintain an enhanced presence in the area, and the homicide investigations will continue into the killings of Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart.

Martin O’Brien, assistant commissioner for Victoria Police, said that while the search for Freeman has been “challenging”, the “investigation is far from over”, and the public could play a key role.

“However, we do believe it will only be brought to resolution through assistance from members of the public. I strongly urge anyone with any information at all, no matter how small you think it may be, to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers,” he said.

Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that might aid in the search for Freeman. This could include sightings, overheard details within local communities, or suspicious activities on personal properties. Officials emphasize that contributions to the investigation can be made anonymously, ensuring the privacy of those who choose to assist.

The police said anyone who sees Freeman should phone triple zero (000) immediately and not approach him.

In an effort to capture Freeman, a substantial reward of up to $1 million is being offered for any information that leads to his arrest.

Initially, the search effort was expansive, with about 400 officers dedicated to locating Freeman. However, as time has passed, the number of officers actively involved in the search has been reduced to approximately 200.

The search for 56-year-old Freeman has included intensive efforts and hundreds of Victoria Police officers and specialist resources from Australia and New Zealand. It is the largest tactical operation in Australian history.

At the height of the search for Freeman, around 400 officers were out looking for him; however, that number was scaled back to about 200 in recent weeks.

The police said tactical officers, the Public Order Response Team and other specialist resources have searched large areas of the Mount Buffalo National Park, which will reopen to the public on Friday.

Extensive air searches and investigations into over 1,700 pieces of intelligence have also failed so far to lead to Freeman’s arrest.