ONE TEXT MESSAGE IS NOW AT THE CENTRE OF THE CASE…😳📱

The deaths of Dezi Freeman, Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart are now under coronial investigation as families continue searching for answers.

But the detail now pulling people in is 1 message sent before everything changed — because people following the case believe those few words could explain far more than anyone first thought…

Dezi Freeman’s final words to dying police officer

Double police killer Dezi Freeman told a fatally wounded officer to die in hell moments before shooting him again.

Fresh details into the killings of Senior Constable Vadmin de Waart-Hottart and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson in August 2025 at Freeman’s property in Victoria’s High Country were detailed in a Coroners Court directions hearing on Monday morning.

Freeman was captured on police bodycam footage shortly after the incident yelling he had no choice but to carry out the shooting, counsel assisting Lindsay Spence said in his opening summary.
The alleged sexual assault of a child has been revealed as the reason for a search warrant against Dezi Freeman that ended with him shooting dead two police officers. (A Current Affair)
Images obtained by the Daily Mail show officers outside Freeman’s bus moments before he opened fire. (Daily Mail Australia)

Mr Spence described the confrontation between the officers and Freeman, who was inside a bus, when a search warrant was served at Porepunkah, 310km northwest of Melbourne.

He revealed officers had executed the warrant after receiving disclosure of an alleged sexual assault involving a child, as well as an attempt to involve a child in the production of child abuse material.

“The purpose of the search warrant was for the locating and seizure of electronic devices that were to be interrogated for the potential presence of child abuse material,” he told the court.

Police had been attempting to arrest Freeman at the property, where he was living in a converted bus with his family, including his wife, Mali.

During the incident, which began at 9.50am, five officers had knocked at the door, before Freeman had yelled and refused to come out, saying the police “could go to hell,” Mr Spence said.

Officers called for permission to force entry which was granted, although negotiations continued.
Porepunkah shooting victims Vadim de Waart and Neal Thompson. (9News)
The search for Freeman was one of the largest in Victorian Police history. (Joe Armao)
Tactical police on the scene at Porepunkah in the days after the shooting. (Joe Armao)

Freeman was eventually shown a copy of the search warrant, where he described as “bullshit”.

The court heard an officer climbed onto the bus roof but was unable to gain access, before Freeman said he was coming out.

After failing to exit, Det Sen Const Thompson lifted himself through a window to gain access to the bus, but as his feet touched the ground, he was shot.

He suffered a gunshot wound to the face and neck, and collapsed immediately.

A second officer, standing near Det Sen Const Thompson, yelled “gun” and ran, activating a duress alarm, the court heard.

Freeman then shot Sen Const de Waart-Hottart as the other officers ran and sought cover behind a shipping container.

“I had no choice,” Freeman said.
Neil Thompson’s sisters Lois Kirk and Dianne Thompson arriving at court with family. (Justin McManus/The Age)
Dezi Freeman had long been at odds with police as a self-proclaimed “sovereign citizen”. (David Estcourt)

The court heard Freeman returned to the bus after the shooting and swore over the bodies of both fallen officers.

“F***ing scum, die in hell,” he yelled at police before firing Sen Const de Waart-Hottart’s firearm at Det Sen Const Thompson again.

Freeman then stepped out of the bus with two guns and fired at a third officer, injuring them.

“He was last sighted running down the hill towards the river,” Mr Spence told the court.

Freeman later sent a message to his wife.

“Get a mile away and keep going. See you in heaven, love,” he texted.

Investigators had been exploring the possibility Freeman received help from others in evading police for 216 days, with Mr Bush saying it would have been very difficult for him to get to where he was without assistance. (Nine)
Dezi Freeman and his wife Amalia, who he text soon after the shooting. (9News)

Freeman led police on one of the nation’s largest manhunts, which ended after he died in a hail of police bullets on a remote property in Thologolong, near Walwa on the Victoria-NSW border on March 30.

State Coroner Liberty Sanger held a directions hearings for the cases of the police officers on Monday, before she will turn her attention to Freeman’s case in the afternoon.

Family and supporters of the slain police officers arrived in court on Monday, including Det Sen Const Thompson’s sisters, Dianne Thompson and Lois Kirk.

Loved ones of Sen Const de Waart-Hottart watched the proceedings via video link from Belgium.

Police association secretary Wayne Gatt and Detective Acting Inspector Nigel L’Estrange from the homicide squad, also attended.

Speculation has been rife over how Freeman came to be in Thologolong, about 150km from Porepunkah, where he fatally shot the officers.

Monday’s directions hearing into the cases of the police officers wrapped up within an hour and was adjourned to an unfixed date while a coronial brief is delivered.

The inquest could be scheduled for March 2027.