Hundreds of files containing child abuse material have been discovered on the electronic devices of Dezi Freeman, the man who fatally shot two police officers in August last year before being killed in a police siege in March.
Freeman, 56, had been on the run for months after murdering the officers who attempted to serve him a search warrant at his home in Porepunkah, Victoria, over historical sex crime allegations. The so-called sovereign citizen was eventually located at an off-grid compound in the state's northeast, where he was shot dead by heavily armed officers on March 30.
According to the ABC, the devices seized during the fatal search warrant contained hundreds of files depicting child abuse. Multiple law enforcement sources have since disclosed that the police investigation into historical sex offences included allegations of sexual exposure, with detectives in contact with one alleged victim. However, Freeman will never face charges following his fatal shootout with police.
Officers found Freeman inside a converted shipping container, which they described as a 'long caravan,' at Tholo Farm near Walwa, approximately 188 kilometers northeast of Porepunkah, where he had fled after the murders. Footage showed him emerging from the container wrapped in a blanket before pulling a gun from underneath and pointing it at police. He was struck by up to 27 bullets.
The discovery of the child abuse material adds another layer to the case, which has drawn significant public attention. Questions have also arisen about who alerted police to Freeman's hideout, particularly after a $1 million reward was offered for information leading to his arrest. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush stated that any details would remain confidential and declined to address whether a tip-off had prompted the operation.
Reports, including from the Herald, suggest that a car traveled several times to and from the Porepunkah area, possibly prompting police investigations there. Additionally, communications from Freeman in the hours and days after the shootings have come to light. Hours after fleeing the scene, he reportedly sent a text message to his wife, Mali, saying, 'see you in heaven,' which initially helped detectives narrow the search area to about 10 to 15 kilometers from the couple's home. He also made a call to an associate a few days later, saying he 'f***ed up,' but police were unable to determine his location even after intercepting the call.
