Accused cop-killer's spouse was allegedly present during the shooting incident in Victoria

In the picturesque town of Porepunkah, a tranquil tourist destination nestled near the Ovens River, the search for Australia's most-wanted man, Dezi Freeman, has taken a dramatic turn.

Nine days have passed since the deadly confrontation that left Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 35, and Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, dead. The search effort has since expanded to the surrounding bushland, with the Australian Defence Force providing a planning specialist and air surveillance assets to assist Victoria Police.

The state's top cop has defended the ongoing inability to locate Freeman, attributing the challenging nature of the high-country search as a significant factor. Amidst the search, more than 100 properties in the Alpine area have been scoured by police.

Footage obtained by local media outlets shows armed police, accompanied by dogs, searching through shipping containers, sheds, and employing the use of drones. The authorities have also appealed to Freeman's associates, urging them to provide any information that could lead to his capture.

Amalia Freeman, Dezi's wife, is under investigation for obstructing police at the time of the shooting. She, along with a 15-year-old, were arrested during a raid at a Porepunkah home on August 29.

The manhunt has had a profound impact on the local businesses in this popular tourist region. Many have reported a significant loss of income, with some experiencing mass cancellations and cutting casual shifts. Pepo Farms, a pumpkin seed and oil business, even had to close early over the weekend due to a lack of customers.

Local operators estimate a 60% loss of income since the search started on August 26, causing immediate cash-flow issues for some businesses. Porepunkah Primary School and Porepunkah Pines Holiday Park have resumed operations, but the effects of the search are still being felt.

Residents and tourists have been urged to limit their movements through the area to aid the search efforts. Despite these challenges, the community remains hopeful that Freeman will be apprehended soon, bringing a sense of normalcy back to Porepunkah.