In what could be the most explosive development yet in one of Australia’s longest and most intense manhunts, Victoria Police sources have confirmed that Koah Freeman, the 20-year-old eldest son of alleged double cop killer Dezi Freeman, was captured on high-definition surveillance cameras entering the thick bushland immediately behind the family’s former property in Porepunkah—just 30 minutes before this report went live.
The footage, described by insiders as “crystal clear and deeply concerning,” shows Koah moving with purpose across open ground before disappearing into the dense eucalyptus forest that borders Mount Buffalo National Park. He was carrying what appeared to be a large backpack, and his route aligned precisely with known trails leading into the rugged, cave-riddled terrain where his father vanished nearly six months ago.
“This isn’t a casual stroll,” a senior investigator told Global Shock News on condition of anonymity. “The timing is impeccable—right as the five-day search operation winds down without major finds. It’s suspicious enough to demand immediate escalation. We’re looking at everything: supply runs, message drops, even coordinated evasion tactics.”
The revelation shatters the prevailing narrative that Dezi Freeman, 56, a self-proclaimed sovereign citizen with a history of anti-government rants, likely died shortly after the August 26, 2025, shooting that claimed the lives of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, while seriously injuring a third officer. Police had publicly stated a “strong belief” in his death, citing a reported single gunshot heard roughly two hours after the initial incident—widely interpreted as self-inflicted—and the complete absence of any proof of life: no sightings, no financial activity, no communications.
Yet today’s surveillance hit has forced authorities to revisit their three primary scenarios with renewed urgency:
- Freeman died in the Mount Buffalo area from suicide, exposure, injury, or misadventure.
- He escaped the immediate zone and is being harboured or assisted by supporters, possibly including family.
- He has survived independently in the wilderness—an outcome long considered improbable given the harsh alpine conditions, limited resources, and relentless searches.
Newly uncovered evidence—combining the fresh footage with previously undisclosed cellphone metadata, financial irregularities traced to family-linked accounts, and anonymous tips from the tight-knit high-country community—has reportedly “all but confirmed” that family involvement is no longer a fringe theory but a central line of inquiry.
Koah Freeman, who moved out of the family compound (a rural setup known as Four Gully Farm) about a year before the shootings, has maintained a public stance of cooperation. In early statements following the incident, he expressed condolences to the victims’ families, urged his father to surrender if alive, and even speculated that Dezi was “probably deceased.” He famously likened his father’s bushcraft skills to “Rambo but 10 times better,” noting Dezi’s lifelong familiarity with Mount Buffalo—calling it his “second home”—and his ability to go weeks without food.
But police sources now question whether those comments were genuine or a calculated misdirection. “Koah knows the terrain intimately,” one detective noted. “He grew up hiking those trails. If anyone’s capable of slipping in supplies or making contact without detection, it’s him.”
The family dynamics add layers of complexity. Dezi’s wife, Mali Freeman (42 at the time), and their two younger children—a 15-year-old son and a toddler—were living on the property. Mali and the teenage son were briefly detained and questioned during an August 28, 2025, raid on a nearby Porepunkah address but released without charges. Mali issued a statement through lawyers expressing respect for police and rejecting anti-authority views, while pleading for Dezi to turn himself in.
Koah, however, has been more vocal. He returned to work shortly after the shootings and has avoided major media since early September 2025. Today’s alleged incursion marks the first concrete link between family movements and the ongoing evasion narrative since the initial weeks.
The broader manhunt context is staggering. Described as Victoria’s largest tactical operation and one of Australia’s biggest ever, it has involved hundreds of officers, specialist units from multiple states, ASIO support, ADF assistance in logistics, cadaver dogs, drones with thermal imaging, helicopters, ballistic acoustic testing, and ground teams combing steep, vegetated gullies, old mine shafts, and cave systems.
The latest five-day push, launched February 2, 2026, targeted over 1.3 square kilometers adjoining a December operation. Over 100 personnel, including NSW cadaver dogs, scoured the area based on refined intelligence from the post-shooting gunshot report. Firearms experts fired test shots to map acoustics and eliminate variables. As of February 5, police stated the operation had concluded daily phases with “no further updates,” but insiders say today’s surveillance has triggered an immediate redeployment of resources to the family property perimeter.
The $1 million AUD reward—the largest in Victorian history—remains active for credible information leading to Freeman’s arrest or location. Harbouring or assisting a fugitive carries penalties up to 20 years imprisonment.
For the victims’ families, this twist reopens old wounds. Relatives of the slain officers have repeatedly called for closure, expressing frustration that a “quick death” might rob them of courtroom justice. One family member told media: “If the son is helping keep this man hidden after what he did, it’s a betrayal of everything we stand for. We deserve answers, not shadows in the bush.”
Community impact in Porepunkah and nearby Bright has been profound. Tourism revenue plummeted by tens of millions due to lockdowns and fear, with locals torn between sympathy for the officers and the reality of a prolonged, resource-draining search in their backyard.
If confirmed, Koah’s alleged movement could mark the turning point. Police are analyzing the footage for timestamps, clothing matches, backpack contents (via enhancement), and cross-referencing with prior patterns. Thermal drone sweeps are being prioritized tonight, and ground teams—now including armed tactical units—are moving into position.
Is Dezi Freeman still drawing breath, sustained by a network that includes his own flesh and blood? Or is this another heartbreaking false lead in a tragedy that has gripped the nation?
One thing is certain: the ghost of Mount Buffalo refuses to rest quietly. As darkness falls over the high country, the hunt—and the questions—intensifies.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously. The $1 million reward stands.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as verified details emerge.