Dezi Freeman lived off-grid for 216 days before Thologolong shootout as police probe possible accomplices

New details have emerged about how double cop killer Dezi Freeman survived 216 days on the run after a dramatic early morning operation near the Murray River ended one of Australia’s biggest manhunts.

Police tracked the 56-year-old to an isolated rural property at Thologolong, near Walwa on the Victoria-NSW border, where he was shot dead on Monday after a three-hour standoff with specialist officers.

Authorities say Freeman emerged from a shipping container wrapped in what appeared to be a blanket and then pulled out a firearm believed to have been taken from one of the police officers killed during the first shooting in Porepunkah in August.

“I can now confirm that this is a police weapon and we believe it was taken from one of our officers who was killed on August 26th,” said Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush.

“I saw the video of the deceased leaving the building and showing a firearm to our officers,” Bush said.

“This action took away the discretion our officers had.”

Specialist police descended on the container shortly after 5.30am, firing flash bangs and smoke grenades and eventually attacking the structure with a BearCat armored vehicle.

The remote property, littered with shipping containers, abandoned vehicles, caravans and tarpaulins, showed signs of off-grid living, including solar panels and makeshift utilities.

Investigators are now working to determine how Freeman evaded capture for so long and whether he had help escaping.

“We would love to know who it was, if anyone, but I’m sure some of them actually helped him get from Porepunkah to where he is,” Mr. Bush said.

Friends also questioned how Freeman was able to survive on his own.

“He couldn’t have done all this alone. Someone else must have helped him,” said his friend Alex Kristic. 9News.

Despite a $1 million reward being offered for information leading to Freeman’s arrest, police have not confirmed whether a tip led them to the property – the largest financial incentive in Victorian history.

On Monday, Mr. Bush was clear that information on locating Freeman or whether a payment would be made would be kept secret.

Speculation about the reward quickly spread to nearby communities as news of the operation broke.

“Today was pretty crazy,” said Samir Ramzan of Walwa Market.

“Lots of locals found out about it, then reporters showed up, lots of phone calls were made and a group of cyclists showed up because the road was closed.

“Some people make fun of each other: ‘Who attacked him, who took the million?’”

Local residents expressed concern that Freeman was living nearby unnoticed.

“I’m a little uncomfortable with Dezi Freeman being in the Upper Murray, assuming it’s (Dezi),” Walwa resident Janice Newnham said.

“I thought he probably managed to escape from the Buffalo Mountain area, but I would have guessed he would have crossed state lines by now.

“Because it’s privately owned, I’m even more concerned that the people who made it possible might be from our community.”

Freeman had not been seen officially since he allegedly shot dead police officers Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart as part of a police team executing a search warrant at his home in Porepunkah in late August.

Hundreds of officers from across Australia took part in the search, navigating difficult terrain including mountainous bushland and extreme weather conditions.

Police said Freeman’s appearance changed little over the months he remained undercover.

“His hair was a little bit longer and he had a beard,” Mr. Bush said.

Authorities continue to investigate how Freeman went undetected for more than seven months and who may have helped him survive.

“It’s very important for us to understand how long he’s been here and who else was complicit in bringing him here and then taking care of him or providing him with food and other things up to this point,” Mr. Bush said.

Prime Minister Jacinta Allan said ending the manhunt would bring some relief to affected communities.

“This event has hung like a dark, dark shadow over these communities,” he said.

“This shadow has been slightly removed.”

“It’s over in terms of the operation, but it will never be over for those families,” he said.

Police Union secretary Wayne Gatt said the memory of the officers who lost their lives would last forever.

“The memory of cowards fades quickly, but with heroes it lives on forever,” he said.

Investigations are continuing as to whether Freeman helped him escape.

– from AAP