Two men have been released without charge following their arrest as part of an ongoing police investigation into the movements of Dezi Freeman. The men were taken into custody yesterday, May 26, and subsequently released pending further inquiries. The arrests were linked to efforts to understand how Freeman evaded authorities for seven months before his death.
Freeman, who triggered a large manhunt after killing two police officers, was located in a shipping container on a property in Thologolong, near the Victoria-New South Wales border, in March. Police confirmed the arrested men were not related to Freeman. The investigation aims to clarify Freeman's movements and potential assistance he received during his time on the run.
Freeman was shot dead during a confrontation with police at the Thologolong property. Reports indicate that multiple officers discharged their weapons during the incident. A separate inquest is examining the circumstances surrounding Freeman's final moments.
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BACKGROUND
The police pursuit of Dezi Freeman commenced after he fatally shot Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson at his home in Porepunkah, Victoria, in August 2025. Police had initially attempted to arrest Freeman at his residence, where he was living in a converted bus.
Freeman's wife, Mali, and another individual were previously arrested and released without charge in connection with the investigation into how Freeman remained at large for an extended period and his eventual travel to Thologolong. The scope of the Thologolong property's initial attendance by police also involved an investigation into child sex offences and related materials.
