The wife of suspected double cop-killer Dezi Freeman will not be charged after the fatal shooting of two police officers more than six months ago.
On Friday, Victoria Police issued a statement saying they had insufficient evidence to prosecute Mali Freeman, 42, and two others over the deadly incident in Porepunkah in the Victorian High Country on August 26.
She and a 56-year-old Porepunkah man were interviewed by investigators from Taskforce Summit in relation to the offence of indictable obstruction of police.
A third person was interviewed in relation to the offence of attempted theft.
Freeman has not been seen since he allegedly shot dead officers Vadim de Waart-Hottart and Neal Thompson as they helped execute a search warrant on his property.
The alleged murders sparked a massive police hunt that saw officers scour bushland in and around Freeman’s wilderness retreat located in the shadow of Mount Buffalo.
‘Following a meticulous investigation, briefs of evidence were prepared by experienced detectives from Taskforce Summit,’ a police spokesperson said on Friday.
‘These briefs were subsequently not authorised due to there being insufficient evidence to support a prosecution at this time.’
The wife of suspected double-cop killer Dezi Freeman will not be charged after the fatal shooting of two police officers more than six months ago
Victoria Police issued a statement saying they had insufficient evidence to prosecute Mali Freeman, 42, (pictured) and two others over the deadly incident in Porepunkah in the Victorian High Country on August 26
Police indicated they would pursue charges should someone come forward with more information.
‘Any further information received by police in relation to these matters will be thoroughly assessed and acted on as appropriate,’ the spokesperson said.
‘We will not be commenting further on the specifics of this investigation.’
A reward of up to $1 million remains in place for information leading to Freeman’s arrest.
Victoria Police have pledged to continue to maintain an enhanced presence in the local Porepunkah and Mount Buffalo National Park areas.
The revelations come just days after it was revealed the family of a man who was arrested at gunpoint and restrained with zip ties during the search for Freeman is suing Victoria Police.
The Sloan family has submitted a statement of claim in the Supreme Court of Victoria after their property was raided during the search for Freeman.
Jeremy Sloan and his partner Sarah Naylor said they were forced off the road by an unmarked car about 25km from Shepparton on October 1, 2025.
Dezi Freeman, 56, has not been seen since he allegedly shot dead officers Vadim de Waart-Hottart and Neal Thompson as they helped execute a search warrant on his property
Police searched the wilderness for Dezi Freeman in the months after he vanished
Freeman had been a sovereign citizen and had a warrant served on him to search his property over historical sexual abuse allegations
Mr Sloan, 32, said he was asked to get out of the vehicle and lie facedown on the ground, with his arms restrained with zip ties.
He was told he was under arrest for harbouring a fugitive.
When he was taken to his parents’ home under police guard, he was greeted by up to 30 police cars, ambulances, and a helicopter.
His 63-year-old father, Bryan, was also detained while officers searched the family property for Freeman.
The family is seeking compensation from Victoria Police for psychological harm as a result of officers’ actions.
Police have warned anyone who sees Freeman to phone triple zero immediately and not approach him.
Anyone with any information on Freeman’s location, or anything the community notices at the Mount Buffalo National Park, should be reported to Crime Stoppers Victoria via 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
