Mr Freeman hasn\u2019t been seen since, and a $1 million reward \u2014 the largest ever offered in Victoria \u2014 is in place for any information which leads to Mr Freeman\u2019s arrest.<\/p>\n
It is now feared that the fugitive evaded the initial police search entirely and crossed the border, fleeing Victoria.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe belief is he somehow escaped and is now holed up safely across the border,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1ff4d8e4487bffae3d6ba8422821d7d12ebba48d.jpg\")
The property of Dezi Freeman outside the Mount Buffalo township of Porepunkah. Credit: Andrew Henshaw NewsWire\/NCA NewsWire<\/p>\n
It remains unclear which State police suspect Mr Freeman may be hiding in; however, it has long been believed that he could be receiving help from supporters.<\/p>\n
The fresh claim comes as Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush admitted that investigators aren\u2019t sure whether the father of three was alive or dead.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs he still alive? We don\u2019t know. Is he alive and still in the area? We have no real information to suggest that it\u2019s occurred, but we never discount. Or has he been unable to leave the area and is being looked after by others? We don\u2019t know,\u201d Mr Bush said at a press conference on October 13.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of those are assumptions, possibilities, and we plan and resource for those three.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Victoria](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2fa4c72f9786d59bb84a3a837c6ff9a72e876f6f.jpg\")
Victoria Police have released vision of the of the manhunt for Dezi Freeman. Credit: Victoria Police\/Supplied<\/p>\n
The revelations come as police announced a partial reopening of Mount Buffalo National Park, which had been closed to the public and the focus of extensive search efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome areas of the park will remain restricted and members of the public will be prohibited from accessing,\u201d a written police statement read.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/58c6f01e13082e2f51f79c35d42b07185171c9d8.jpg\")
The site where fugitive Dezi Freeman lived near Porepunkah, Victoria. Credit: Jason Edwards NewsWire![\"Dezi](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/f02e578f799fbf03c9166fe22ae7d86c0f114a8f.jpg\")
Dezi Freeman is suspected of killing two police officers at his property in Porepunkah. Credit: Unknown\/Supplied<\/p>\n
The decision follows exhaustive searches of the park and surrounding areas, along with hundreds of interviews, which have failed to uncover any sign of Mr Freeman.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than 800 people have been spoken to by police, including several of Freeman\u2019s associates, and officers have searched hundreds of properties either by the owner\u2019s consent or warrant,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n
\u201cDetectives have investigated over 1600 pieces of intelligence, including information received from the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite these extensive searches and enquiries, police have not located Desmond Freeman.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis work has however given Victoria Police the confidence that the park can now reopen, as we know how important it is for the local community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe re-opening of the park does not signify the end of the search for Freeman, and Victoria Police will continue to maintain a strong presence in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone who sees Mr Freeman is urged to call triple-0 immediately and not approach him.<\/p>\n