**Family Devastated by Alleged Actions of Dezi Freeman** Luke Filby reflects on his complicated relationship with his uncle, Dezi Freeman. "He was like an older brother for me growing up. We were pretty close in my younger days," Filby said. He described Freeman as a larger-than-life character who was kind and inspiring during his childhood. However, as Filby matured, he began to notice a darker side to his uncle. "He always had this mentally ill, hidden anger about him, like this hidden anger of meltdowns," Filby told a news program.

Freeman, who previously went by Desmond Filby, changed his last name after a falling out with his family. Filby explained that his uncle felt abandoned and wronged by them. Since 2018, Filby has been estranged from Freeman, and he expressed devastation over the events of August 26, 2025. "Such a big impact what my uncle did, destroying these families, friends, even his own family," he said.

Freeman is accused of fatally shooting two police officers in Victoria at a rural property in Porepunkah. Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson were killed, and a third officer was injured. Filby shared the emotional toll on his family, particularly his mother, who is Freeman's sister. "It's her brother, [it's] really upsetting. She was crying, she was shocked. She's the one that gave me the terrible news," he said.

The incident has triggered one of the largest manhunts in Australian history. On Police Remembrance Day, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush reported that investigators have received over 1,400 tips from the public and have searched more than 40 square kilometers. "None of them have led to any positive leads, but then we explore them and then we re-explore them to make sure we are following it properly," Bush stated.

As of now, there have been no confirmed sightings of Freeman, and no significant breakthroughs in the case. Recently, police confirmed that specialized units were operating near Benalla, a town located just over an hour from Porepunkah. A police spokesperson assured the public that there was no immediate risk to community safety.

Freeman was known as a conspiracy theorist with anti-authority views, which intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Filby noted that his uncle's extreme beliefs made him difficult to be around. "You couldn't visit him without him having this trauma-dumping episode and whingeing about the government and just ranting on about negative stuff," he said.

Ray Kompe, a former friend of Freeman, described him as uncompromising in his views. "With Dezi, he just wouldn't compromise, and he just had his views and he was pretty locked in," Kompe said. He recalled mentoring Freeman in the bush but eventually distanced himself due to Freeman's extreme opinions.

On the day of the alleged shooting, police arrived at Freeman's property to execute a warrant related to historical sexual offenses. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Aboud suggested that Freeman's actions may not have been premeditated. "A heightened state of fear would have essentially enveloped him and that would have caused an acute anger," Dr. Aboud explained.

Despite the lifting of travel restrictions in the area, Mount Buffalo National Park remains closed to the public. Victoria Police is utilizing all available resources to locate Freeman, including a $1 million reward for information leading to his capture. Dr. Aboud expressed skepticism that anyone is harboring Freeman, citing his deep mistrust of others.

Former NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Carlene York, who oversaw a lengthy manhunt for another fugitive, emphasized that the lack of breakthroughs does not reflect poorly on the police. "They're out there every day putting their lives at risk to find this person," she said.

In the aftermath of the shooting, nearly 500 officers were deployed to the high country, and currently, more than 200 remain in the area. York noted that any decision to scale back the operation would be challenging for police leadership.

Filby speculated that his uncle may have taken his own life, stating, "He wouldn't want the satisfaction of the government taking his life." The search for Dezi Freeman continues as authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to locate him.