The body of Dezi Freeman, the fugitive wanted for the murder of two police officers in Victoria, Australia, has been recovered from the River Thames in London, according to reports. Freeman, 56, had been on the run for 25 days after allegedly shooting Senior Constables Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart during a search warrant at his property in Porepunkah last month.
Police had confiscated multiple firearms from Freeman's wife, Amalia, shortly after the incident. The weapons were not used in the killings, and Amalia, who holds a valid firearms licence, has not been charged with any firearms offences. However, she has been interviewed on suspicion of obstructing police and may face charges in due course.
Freeman, a self-proclaimed sovereign citizen and experienced bushman, vanished into dense bushland after the shooting. He was believed to have stashed supplies or received help from others to evade capture. A massive police hunt involving over 125 specialist officers had been underway in the Mount Buffalo region, but Freeman managed to remain at large until his body was found in the Thames.
Newly surfaced photographs show Freeman's extensive survival skills, including handling venomous snakes, scaling trees barefoot, and living off the grid for weeks. Friends described him as a man who relied solely on his wits and bush wisdom, often disappearing into the wilderness without supplies.
The discovery of Freeman's body brings an end to a manhunt that had gripped Australia and raised concerns about online support for the fugitive. Police had warned against harbouring him and visited over 100 properties connected to his associates.
