A coroner's directions hearing on Monday revealed new details regarding the shooting of two Victorian police officers by Dezi Freeman [4].
The proceedings provide a formal account of a violent encounter that shocked the nation and led to one of the most extensive manhunts in recent regional history.
Freeman shot and killed Senior Constable Vadmin de Waart-Hottart, 34, and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59 [1]. The incident occurred in August 2025 [3] at a rural property in Porepunkah, located within Victoria’s High Country [1].
According to the dossier, Freeman was the subject of a police warrant related to alleged sexual assault of a child [5]. When officers arrived at the property, Freeman confronted them and opened fire [5]. The property owner, Andrew Swift, said the event took place on his land [2].
Following the double homicide, Freeman evaded authorities for a significant period. He remained on the run for 216 days [2] before the manhunt ended in a shootout. During the final confrontation, Victoria Police utilized a BearCat claw device to force Freeman out of hiding before he was killed [2].
The hearing held on May 25, 2026 [4], serves to establish the directions for a full coronial inquest. This process aims to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two officers, and the subsequent tactical operation that ended Freeman's flight.
“Freeman shot and killed Senior Constable Vadmin de Waart-Hottart, 34, and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59.”
The coronial directions hearing marks the transition from the criminal investigation phase to a public inquiry into police safety and tactical response. By examining the events leading up to the August 2025 shootings and the 216-day manhunt, the inquest may highlight vulnerabilities in how warrants are executed in rural areas and the efficacy of specialized equipment like the BearCat claw device in high-risk arrests.
