Freeman Associate Arrested
NSW Woman Arrested in Major Investigation Into Desmond Freeman's Movements After Fatal Porepunkah Shootings
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Key Points
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The Porepunkah shootings killed two officers and left a third seriously injured: Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were fatally shot, while another officer sustained serious injuries.
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Desmond Freeman was shot dead on 30 March after a confrontation with heavily armed police at a Thologolong property on the Victoria–New South Wales border.
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Police carried out raids on seven properties across north-east Victoria and New South Wales, including Umina Beach, as part of efforts to trace Freeman’s movements during the seven months he was on the run.
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A prior raid of Freeman’s Porepunkah property occurred on 26 August, with Wangaratta and Bright police conducting a search of the Rayner Track address as part of the investigation.
Victoria Police have arrested a 58-year-old NSW woman as part of their investigation into cop killer Desmond "Dezi" Freeman, who fatally shot two officers before spending seven months on the run. Sky News Australia reported that detectives arrested the woman in the Bairnsdale area and plan to interview her, though police say further details cannot be disclosed while the investigation continues.
Police also raided seven properties across north-east Victoria and New South Wales, including one at Umina Beach, according to Nine. Investigators are trying to trace Freeman's movements and determine whether a wider network helped hide him from authorities.
Two Officers Killed in Porepunkah Ambush Last August
The investigation stems from a deadly confrontation on 26 August 2024. Freeman shot and killed Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart at a property on Rayner Track in Porepunkah. A third officer was seriously injured in the attack. Wangaratta and Bright police raided Freeman's Porepunkah property that same day as the manhunt began.
Freeman then fled and stayed hidden for seven months. He crossed into border country, moving between Victoria and New South Wales. Head Topics noted that during this time, police were unable to locate him despite an active search.
Freeman Shot Dead at Thologolong Property in March
The manhunt ended on 30 March 2025. Heavily armed police confronted Freeman at a rural property in Thologolong, near the Victoria–New South Wales border. Police shot and killed him during that confrontation. Sky News Australia reported that both the Porepunkah shootings and Freeman's death are now subjects of separate coronial investigations.
Taskforce Summit Hunts for Network That Sheltered Freeman
Victoria Police set up Taskforce Summit specifically to investigate Freeman's movements while he was a fugitive. Detectives want to know who helped him and why. The Australian reported that police are examining whether a broader network assisted Freeman during those seven months, which could mean multiple people face charges.
The seven property raids stretched across north-east Victoria and into New South Wales. The 58-year-old woman arrested near Bairnsdale is the first person publicly linked to the probe. Herald Sun reported that police are also asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers to assist the ongoing inquiry.
Coronial Inquiries Underway as Criminal Investigation Widens
Both key events — the Porepunkah shooting and Freeman's death at Thologolong — are now before the coroner. Those inquiries will examine the circumstances of each incident independently. Meanwhile, the criminal investigation into who may have aided Freeman continues to grow. Nine noted that police have not ruled out further arrests as they piece together his movements over those seven months.
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