Fugitive’s Wife Present During Fatal Police Shooting

Investigators are considering charges against Freeman’s wife for obstructing police during the confrontation.

Heavily armed police gather at a staging point during a search for a fugitive linked to the murder of two police officers, in Porepunkah on Aug. 29, 2025. William West/AFP via Getty Images

Victoria Police say the wife of fugitive Dezi Freeman was present when two officers were shot dead in Porepunkah on Aug. 26.

Freeman, 56, remains on the run after the attack, which claimed the lives of Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 35, and Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59. The officers will be farewelled on Sept. 6 and 9.