It seemed straight out of a dystopian film.

Dezi Freeman, who had taken the lives of two police officers seven months prior, emerged from a shipping container wrapped in a blanket. In a grim twist, he brandished a gun reportedly stolen from one of his victims.

This dramatic conclusion marked the end for Australia’s most wanted fugitive, whose life came to a halt amid a backdrop of abandoned cars, tractors, and clues about his survival in the remote yet stunning landscapes of Victoria.

The operation to capture Freeman kicked off at 5:30 a.m. yesterday. Specialist police converged on the shipping container, initiating a nerve-wracking standoff. It culminated three hours later when the police BearCat breached the container, deploying flash bangs and smoke grenades to subdue him.

This high-tension scene was the result of an intense investigation spanning months that finally gained momentum from a crucial development.

According to 9News, authorities had been keeping a close watch on the Thologolong property for several days. This surveillance followed a tip-off from someone in Freeman’s inner circle, motivated by the $1 million reward on offer.

It’s on the NSW border near Lake Hume, closer to Canberra than Melbourne, and more than a day’s walk from Porepunkah through sparsely populated terrain.

Friends who’ve spoken publicly since his death agree with police on one thing.

“He couldn’t have done all this on his own. He must have been being assisted by someone else,” friend Alex Kristic said, adding “quite frankly I’m glad this guy’s dead”.

Bush said he was “very keen to learn who”.

“I’m sure some actually assisted him in getting away from Porepunkah to where he was located,” he said.

The property where Freeman made his last stand was littered with rubbish. Cars, tractors, three caravans, even a boat and a canoe, marked the green grass between three scattered shipping containers of different sizes and colours. 

The self-proclaimed sovereign citizen had been living off-grid, solar panels producing what little electricity the property had.

It featured a makeshift kitchen and two chairs side by side, suggesting he had not always been alone. But Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said there was no sign of anyone else there in the 24 hours before.

At 8.30am, Freeman emerged from the shipping container almost naked, wrapped in a blanket and armed with a gun he stole from the slain officers in August.

This time, police took no chances, shooting him dead.

“I have seen video of the deceased leaving the building and presenting a firearm at our officers,” Bush said.

“That action took away any discretion our officers had.”

Neil Sutherland says his brother, who’s been in Tasmania for four months, owns the property but has never met Freeman.

“He’s in shock,” Sutherland said. 

“Actually, he’s in more shock than I am because it’s obviously – it’s his property.”

Bush yesterday afternoon said police were still trying to find and speak with the owner.

Three weeks ago, police announced they would not charge Freeman’s wife, Mali, with obstruction of police.

She was present at the time of the shooting, along with a man connected to the Porepunkah property.

“It’s very important for us to understand how long he’s been here and who else was complicit in getting him here and then caring for him or providing him with food and other things to this point,” Bush said, promising they would be “held to account”.

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