Porepunkah police shooting: The final moments
5/28/202626 min
Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were killed by Dezi Freeman in August 2025. Now, the Victorian state coroner has shared new details about their final moments.
Wodonga reporter Ashlee Aldridge was one of the first reporters on the ground in Porepunkah when the officers were killed. She pieces together the events based on the coroner’s information and her own recollection of that day.
PLUS: We’ve got the latest on Erin Patterson’s appeal against her three murder convictions, likely to be heard later this year. More detail is available in our episode Mushroom Lunch: Erin Patterson’s appeal explained.
If you have any questions you’d like Ashlee and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au.
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsRob Bergin0:00
[suspenseful music] Just one day after Jack McLennan's relationship fell apart, he vanished. I couldn't believe this was happening. Immediately, accusations started flying. You need to cough up, and you need to confess. But it soon became clear there was so much more to the story.
Ashleigh Aldridge· Guest0:15
There has to be something more nefarious going on.
Rob Bergin0:17
I'm Rob Bergin. Join me as I investigate what became of Jack in the new season of Unravel.
Stephen Stockwell· Host0:23
You know where my son is.
Rob Bergin0:24
Search for the Unravel podcast on ABC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.
Ashleigh Aldridge· Guest0:29
ABC Listen. Podcasts, radio, news, music, and more.
Stephen Stockwell· Host0:34
[pensive music] 10 police went to arrest Deszy Freeman for child sexual abuse in August last year. Only eight of them left. What happened that morning in remote northern Victoria has haunted police and the community for months, and it will now be examined at the coronial inquest. I'm Stephen Stockwell, and a content warning for this episode, we're gonna be describing some distressing scenes and repeating some offensive language. Welcome to The Case Of.
Rob Bergin1:10
Police were serving a search warrant as part of a sex crime investigation when Freeman opened fire.
Ashleigh Aldridge· Guest1:16
Killing a 59-year-old detective and 35-year-old senior constable.
Stephen Stockwell· Host1:21
Mr. Freeman is a so-called sovereign citizen who believed the government and the courts are illegitimate.
Ashleigh Aldridge· Guest1:27
The two officers were gunned down in Poorpunkah, their names