Police suspect the death of Daisy Freeman, who fled hours after killing two officers and fleeing into bushland, following a major search in the Victorian High Country.
No evidence of Freeman’s life has been recorded since he fled from police near Mount Buffalo National Park 15 minutes after he shot dead two officers, Det Sen Const Neil Thompson and Sen Const Vadim de Wart-Hottart, in the town of Porepunka on August 26.
Less than two hours later, police said a single gunshot was heard coming from the bushland – a report later confirmed by investigators.
The report gathered again in the area on Monday morning as senior officers undertook what they said was the biggest Victorian manhunt in history.
“We feel comfortable that we don’t believe he is alive here, although we are keeping an open mind,” Det Insp Adam Tilley said on Monday.
“We strongly believe that he is in the area and is deceased.”
Sign up for: AU Breaking News Email
Tilley said there are three scenarios police are exploring for Freeman: He died near Mount Buffalo from self-harm or misfortune; He escaped from the area and sought refuge; Or that he escaped the area and survived unaided.
The first scenario is supported by reports of gunshots on August 26 at 12.29pm near the location where Freeman was last seen.
The sound was reported by a member of the public, but that information was confirmed by police, Tilley said.
Police conducted a gun test late last year to better understand where the shot might have been fired, and officers this week used the test to inform where to search.
Drones and cadaver dogs participated in the five-day search from Monday. Tilley said more than 1.3 square km were expected to be searched, and the terrain was exceptionally rugged.
“It’s not going to happen in bushwalk, terrain like this,” Tilley said.
“It’s very challenging, it’s thick, dense bush and sometimes you don’t know where you’re stepping so you have to be very careful.”
Thompson, 59, was just a week into retirement when he was killed, while de Wart-Hottart, 34, was on temporary assignment to the region. A third officer was also shot.
Freeman was at home with his family when police attended the property to serve a warrant for an alleged historic sex crime.
Investigators in December said they had shifted their search efforts to find the body of a self-described “sovereign citizen.” However, a five-day search of the bush with cadaver dogs and drones came to nothing.
Teams on foot also conducted line searches and cleared caves in the vast terrain.
Detectives have sifted through thousands of pieces of intelligence, including many tips from the public, since the task force summit formed in October.
People in the area are advised to remain vigilant and not approach any fugitives who are believed to be armed and dangerous.
Victoria Police offered a $1m reward for information leading to his capture and the possibility of compensation – the largest reward in the state’s history for facilitating an arrest.
