<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Dezi Freeman's death has brought a seven-month investigation to an end, but several questions remain unanswered.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The accused cop killer was armed and wrapped in a blanket when </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/dezi-freeman-shot-reports-emerge-fugitive-killed-by-armed-police/77941806-6f56-4584-a39f-f5c57263a337" rel="" target="_blank" title="he was shot dead by police"><span>he was shot dead by police</span></a><span> in a three-hour operation in Thologolong, north-east </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="_blank" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span>, just before 8.30am.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He had evaded police since </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/porepunkah-shooting" rel="" target="_blank" title="fatally shooting two officers"><span>fatally shooting two officers</span></a><span> and seriously injuring a third during the execution of an arrest warrant at a rural property in Porepunkah on August 26. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The self-described sovereign citizen and vocal critic of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/police" rel="" target="_blank" title="police "><span>police</span></a><span> was last seen fleeing into the bushland. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/dezi-freeman-shot-reports-emerge-fugitive-killed-by-armed-police/77941806-6f56-4584-a39f-f5c57263a337" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Accused cop killer Dezi Freeman shot dead by police</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What has Dezi Freeman been doing this whole time?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush said they have a "strong theory" on what Freeman's movements were in the 24 to 48 hours after the shooting.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/dezi-freeman-update-everything-we-know-questions-explained/43f1f025-96c6-4ab5-8de3-ac9cdb91a3fc" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But he did not reveal the details to reporters. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Freeman has been on the run from police for the past seven months after he shot dead Detective Leading Senior Constable </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-shooting-updates-neal-thompson-police-officer-to-be-farewelled-hunt-for-dezi-freeman-continues/26e2743a-721a-498b-8e07-d6c319226acd" target="_blank" title="Neal Thompson"><span>Neal Thompson</span></a><span>, 59, and Senior Constable </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/senior-constable-vadim-de-waarthottart-funeral-officer-killed-in-porepunkah-shooting-farewelled-at-victoria-police-academy/d32769b4-135f-4328-89f3-917c9e2db917" target="_blank" title="Vadim De Waart-Hottart"><span>Vadim De Waart-Hottart</span></a><span>, 35, on August 26.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Officers from the sexual offences and child investigation team had been at the property to execute a search warrant.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Freeman fled into the bush near the Mount Buffalo National Park. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Freeman has since been evading what Bush has described as "one of the most significant resourced, largely resourced police operations in history".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's hard to say what he could have been up to, besides obviously avoiding the public eye. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/dezi-freeman-update-timeline-events-porepunkah-shooting/41d647d1-8666-4612-9009-8f3b17a83d66" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>The timeline of events from Porepunkah shooting to cop-killer's death</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Where has Dezi Freeman been hiding? </span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Freeman was this morning found in a converted container that was akin to a "long caravan" in Thologolong.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thologolong is over two hours north-east of Porepunkah and on the border with NSW and along the Murray River.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is a tiny town with a population of just 22 people, according to the 2021 census.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thologolong was where bushfires ravaged towns in early January, with firefighters responding to defend properties from the damaging flames. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bush said Freeman's hiding place was "some distance" from the fire zone and more details would be revealed about its exact location.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At this stage, it is unclear how long Freeman had been in Thologolong.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Everyone associated with the rural property will be questioned by police about their connection to the fugitive. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There is no suggestion anyone associated with the property had assisted Freeman or had any knowledge that Freeman was there.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/what-is-a-sovereign-citizen-movement-beliefs-explainer/968ac369-a7bd-4a6d-9465-7bc2a1d13bdf" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>'Domestic terror': The disturbing movement behind cop-killer Dezi Freeman</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>How did Dezi Freeman survive?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This is one of the biggest questions that investigators will need to answer.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bush told reporters this morning he is "sure" that some people had helped Freeman to flee Porepunkah.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It would be very difficult for him to get to where he was, if that is in fact him, without assistance," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We will be speaking to anybody who we suspect may have assisted him to avoid detection or arrest."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bush said anyone "complicit" in helping Freeman evade police would face charges.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In the days after the shooting in Porepunkah, police said they believed </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-police-shooting-dezi-freeman-manhunt-enters-seventh-day-victoria/78fc3a56-2fe8-4a31-832a-b20405e85475" rel="" target="_blank" title="Freeman had a potentially large network of supporters"><span>Freeman had a potentially large network of supporters</span></a><span> helping and harbouring him.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Freeman was armed with a gun when he was confronted by police. There were also several vehicles at the property.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/clyde-north-man-fighting-for-life-after-alleged-hit-and-run-south-east-melbourne/d87a7008-9386-4962-ac6f-8a26230436cb" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Police search for driver after father badly hurt in hit-and-run</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police are working to understand whether the gun was the one he had when he first fled police and whether the cars were used by him.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>How the items and the container came into his possession will form part of the police investigation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Freeman was known to have survival skills and a keen sense of the bushland in the area, particularly the Mount Buffalo National Park.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police had admitted that Freeman knew more about the bushland than they did and could survive for weeks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His son, 20-year-old Koah Freeman, had </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-shooting-updates-dezi-freeman-son-says-alleged-killer-is-like-rambo/179a8292-f019-4c70-9449-544f8455a64f" rel="" target="_blank" title='previously compared him to "Rambo"'><span>previously compared him to "Rambo"</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Months after August 26, police said they believed Freeman was dead but would continue to investigate his whereabouts.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/money-news-procash-advocates-call-on-the-government-to-expand-the-cash-mandate/80dfa469-0225-460f-bba7-58ad66e639e5" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Push for cash mandate to include retail and fast food giants</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Who found Dezi Freeman?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bush confirmed police received a tip-off but would not say whether that led them to find Freeman in Thologolong.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police had received more than 2000 tip-offs in relation to their investigation, but none of the sightings was verified.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Officers surrounded the property about 5.30am today and were in a three-hour stand-off with Freeman.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They pleaded with him to peacefully surrender, but he was armed with a gun when he came out of the container. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There was an opportunity for him to surrender peacefully, which he did not," Bush said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police opened fire and fatally shot him about 8.30am today. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/easter-long-weekend-weather-forecast-2026-state-by-state-guide-australia/35471784-43c5-43a1-9d42-01526b788a80" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>The states and territories set for a drenching this Easter long weekend</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Has the $1 million reward been claimed?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There had been a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/dezi-freeman-porepunkah-search-day-two-hunt-for-accused-police-killer/cfed16c8-9280-4b71-91f8-9683cb5a0d68" rel="" target="_blank" title="$1 million reward offered for any information"><span>$1 million reward offered for any information</span></a><span> leading to Freeman's location or arrest - a historic first for Victoria.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Victoria Police website's page on Dezi Freeman and the reward was taken down today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But Bush would not reveal any details about whether someone had claimed the reward.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Anything in relation to any reward or anything else about the investigation will be kept confidential," he said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span></span><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>