Ray taught Dezi Freeman about the bush. Later, he watched in dismay as his friend became radicalised'

"Last month Dezi Freeman fled into the thick bushland of Victoria's high country. Despite 450 police officers, members of the Australian defence force, paramilitary vehicles and helicopters tracking the fugitive, he has managed to keep hiding. On Tuesday, it will be two weeks since Freeman disappeared into the Mount Buffalo national park, after allegedly shooting and killing two police officers and injuring a third at his residence on Rayner Track in Porepunkah, 300km north-east of Melbourne."

"The funeral for Sen Const Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 35, was held on Friday at the Victoria police academy, with hundreds of mourners including the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and premier, Jacinta Allan, attending. A funeral service for Det Leading Sen Const Neal Thompson, 59, will take place on Monday. The coffin of Sen Const Vadim de Waart-Hottart is carried from the Victoria police academy chapel after his funeral service. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images"

"Since Freeman, also known as Desmond Filby, fled into the bush, speculation has swirled around how he has managed to hold out in the harsh alpine terrain. Police have also acknowledged the possibility he is being harboured or helped by people in the community. The police have said they are committed to catching the alleged killer, but many locals say if he is in the bush, he will never come out;"

Dezi Freeman reportedly shot and killed two police officers and wounded a third at his Porepunkah residence before disappearing into Mount Buffalo national park. A multi-agency manhunt involving about 450 police, defence personnel, paramilitary vehicles and helicopters has been unable to locate him for nearly two weeks. Authorities acknowledge the possibility he is being harboured by community members while locals emphasize his bushcraft skills, intimate knowledge of the terrain and numerous hiding places. Mourners including the prime minister and premier attended the funeral for Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart; a funeral for Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson is scheduled.

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