Dezi Freeman

Dezi Freeman was a 56-year-old Australian fugitive and self-proclaimed "Sovereign Citizen" known for his adherence to conspiracy theories. He became the subject of a major nationwide manhunt after allegedly shooting and killing two police officers in Porepunkah, Victoria, in August 2025. Freeman subsequently fled into the dense bushland, evading authorities for seven months. The extensive search involved hundreds of police and volunteers, including targeted searches of Mount Buffalo National Park based on intelligence suggesting his presence. The manhunt concluded on March 30, 2026, when police fatally shot Freeman during a standoff at a property in north-east Victoria. His death brought an end to a case that had gripped the nation and raised questions about radical ideologies and their potential for violence.