The hunt for Australia’s most wanted man has taken a savage new twist – with the accused killer’s own family and former neighbours unleashing a blistering tirade against him, branding him a shameless hypocrite who sponged off taxpayer money for decades while ranting against the very system that kept him afloat!

Dezi Freeman – the 56-year-old self-styled “sovereign citizen” and survivalist nutcase now accused of gunning down two heroic Victorian police officers in cold blood – has been on the run since that fateful day in August last year. But while police scour the rugged bushland of Mount Buffalo National Park in one of the biggest manhunts in Australian history, it’s not just the law closing in.

His own flesh and blood – along with stunned locals who once lived near the reclusive gun enthusiast – have turned on him in extraordinary interviews, painting a chilling picture of a bitter, welfare-dependent loner whose extreme anti-government rants masked a life of total reliance on the state he despised.

One furious former neighbour didn’t hold back: his way of life used to “s* them**” off big time!

The Bloody Ambush That Shocked a Nation

It all exploded on August 26, 2025, at a remote property on Rayner Track in the sleepy alpine town of Porepunkah, Victoria’s northeast high country. A team of about 10 officers arrived to execute a search warrant linked to historical sexual offence allegations against Freeman.

What should have been a routine job turned into a nightmare ambush.

Within minutes, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart lay dead from gunshot wounds. A third officer was gravely injured in the lower body, fighting for his life in hospital.

Freeman – heavily armed and described by police as a survival expert with martial arts training – allegedly opened fire before fleeing on foot into the dense, unforgiving bushland of nearby Mount Buffalo National Park.

The massive manhunt that followed involved hundreds of specialist officers, helicopters, drones, sniffer dogs, and even thermal imaging. A staggering $1 million reward – the largest ever offered in Victorian history – still stands for information leading to his arrest.

But six months on, Freeman remains a ghost. No confirmed sightings. No trace. Police now “strongly believe” he could be dead – perhaps from misadventure, self-harm, or the harsh elements. Recent targeted searches focused on finding a body or evidence, yet the trail stays ice-cold.

The ‘Hypocrite’ Label That Stings: Family’s Devastating Blast

While the search grinds on, Freeman’s family has broken their silence in heartbreaking interviews – and their words cut deep.

Relatives have labelled him a blatant hypocrite for pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded Disability Support Pension over more than 20 years – all while raging against government “control,” branding police “terrorist thugs,” “Gestapo,” and “corrupt filth.”

One family member spilled the beans: “He always told everyone how poor he was and that he was the victim. He always wanted people to empathise… the hypocrisy. The whole family kind of laughed at him.”

They recalled his endless complaints – but when pressed on his “disability,” it amounted to little more than a “sore tooth.” The relative fumed: “It wasn’t about working for money. It was about trying to get it from the Government.”

Another added: “He pocketed thousands in pension… He only complained of a sore tooth.”

The betrayal runs deep. Family members say they’re “devastated,” “heartbroken,” and “sickened” by the loss of the two officers – and they’re actively assisting police with the investigation.

Neighbours’ Fury: ‘He Never Worked, Never Had Any Money’

Former neighbours in Myrtleford – where Freeman once lived – haven’t minced words either.

One ex-neighbour branded him a “coward” who lived off welfare while spitting venom at the system.

“He never worked, never had any money… that’s what used to s* me** too because he was so against the government, but then got his Centrelink cheque every week,” she said.

The pension – means-tested with a maximum fortnightly rate around $1,149 – added up over two decades. Yet Freeman’s social media painted him as a rugged outdoorsman: swimming in wild rivers, hunting, mountain biking treacherous trails.

The irony? He rejected state authority while happily cashing government cheques.

Another neighbour took out a personal safety intervention order against him years ago after disputes over property access. She claimed he spied on her family with drones, filmed her without consent, and set up hidden lookouts like a “chicken coop” to watch comings and goings.

“He really put our nose out of joint… he was walking through all the time constantly,” she recalled. The feud escalated until his landlord forced him out.

Chilling reports even emerged of death threats and terrifying behaviour toward neighbours – including one TV showdown where a local felt “vindicated” after years of fear.

Sovereign Citizen Extremism: Years in the Making

Freeman – also known as Desmond Filby or Dezi Bird Freeman – was no stranger to authorities long before the shootings.

A self-proclaimed “sovereign citizen,” he rejected government, laws, and police legitimacy. Court records show bizarre antics: attempting to have then-Premier Daniel Andrews tried for treason, trying to “arrest” a magistrate, and fighting traffic offences as a “disability pensioner.”

His nephew Luke Filby – estranged since 2018 – told media his uncle’s “extreme and fanatical views” predated COVID, rooted in deep mistrust of everyone: government, police, neighbours, even friends.

“He had a fundamental mistrust of others,” the nephew said. “Such a big impact what my uncle did, destroying these families, friends, even his own family.”

Police described him as heavily armed, survival-skilled, and familiar with the terrain – making the search a nightmare. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush admitted: “He knows that area better than us.”

The Human Cost: Heroes Lost, Families Shattered

The fallen officers’ families bear the deepest scars.

Senior Constable Neal Thompson’s sister delivered a gut-wrenching message: death would be “too good” for Freeman. “I don’t want to keep him in prison,” she said, her pain raw.

The community of Porepunkah – a tight-knit rural haven – remains traumatised. Locals whisper about fringe beliefs clustering in the area, but most just want closure.

Police refuse to rule out charges against Freeman’s wife for any potential involvement.

Where Is He Now? Theories Swirl

Three main scenarios grip investigators:

1. Freeman is dead – from exposure, injury, or worse.
2. He’s still hiding in the bush, using his bushcraft skills.
3. He’s fled elsewhere – wild sightings even claimed in South Africa!

A Melbourne businessman once reported spotting him abroad, but nothing panned out.

Taskforce Summit continues, with explosions heard in recent searches (possibly controlled demolitions or misreports). Bodycam footage later revealed a jammed homemade shotgun that spared a fourth officer – a terrifying “twist of fate.”

The Legacy of Horror

As the investigation drags into 2026, one thing is crystal clear: Dezi Freeman’s alleged rampage didn’t just claim two brave lives – it shattered families, exposed deep-seated extremism, and laid bare stunning hypocrisy.

His own kin and neighbours have spoken – and their verdict is damning.

A man who lived off the system he hated. A “victim” who allegedly became a killer. A survivalist now possibly lost to the wilderness he loved.

The $1 million reward stands. The search goes on.

But for the grieving families of Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart, justice feels further away than ever.

And for those who knew Dezi Freeman best? They’re done with excuses.

The gloves are off – and the truth hurts.