Victoria Police has reactivated the Dezi Freeman search in Victoria’s alpine high country, deploying cadaver dogs into Mount Buffalo National Park as part of a renewed effort to locate the accused killer. The operation, guided by firearms and acoustics testing conducted within the rugged park, aims to bring the months-long inquiry to a close. Local communities and volunteers remain hopeful as search teams press deeper into the challenging terrain.
The renewed effort combines dog-assisted ground work with specialist teams, drones, and systematic trail checks. The Mount Buffalo region’s dense forests, steep gullies, and variable weather have long complicated searches in this part of the state, and authorities say the latest approach prioritises areas deemed most likely to yield signs of human presence while minimising risk to responders.
Authorities emphasise that the current phase is exploratory and tactical rather than a declaration of results. While the testing work has informed the direction of ground operations, officials caution that a finding could take time and that the landscape will continue to pose significant challenges for both search crews and any potential identification work. The community remains engaged, with local supporters and volunteers watching for any developments as fresh lines of inquiry are pursued in the alpine environment.
What we know
- Cadaver dogs have joined the renewed search effort in Victoria’s high country, including Mount Buffalo National Park.
- The operation is being guided by recent firearms and acoustics testing conducted within the search area.
- Authorities say the search is focused on identifying any signs of a person within the park’s rugged terrain and surrounding ranges.
- Police describe the current phase as a continuation of a long-running inquiry with a renewed operational approach.
What we don’t know
- Whether any remains have been located or positively identified during the renewed search.
- The exact whereabouts of any potential evidence beyond the areas already assessed.
- Whether this renewed effort will yield a breakthrough or bring the inquiry closer to resolution.
- How long the current phase will last or what triggers a shift in tactics if new leads emerge.
As daylight and weather conditions permit, policing teams will continue to navigate the alpine terrain, coordinating with community volunteers and other agencies. The Mount Buffalo incident remains a high-profile case in the state, underscoring the challenges of conducting complex searches in remote and unforgiving landscapes while maintaining safety and accuracy in identification work.
