Australia’s biggest police manhunt is still unfolding, and now even military experts are weighing in on how it could end.
In a new Daily Mail podcast, The Trial Australia, Paul Cale—a decorated former special operations soldier once dubbed the “killer commando”—shared his perspective on the search for 56-year-old fugitive Dezi Freeman.
Freeman has been on the run for more than three weeks after allegedly ambushing police officers, killing two, and disappearing into the unforgiving Australian bush.
What makes this search extraordinary is not just the scale—it’s being called the largest tactical operation in Australian police history—but also Freeman’s survival skills and mindset.
A Fugitive with a Survivalist’s Advantage
Freeman isn’t just hiding; he’s an experienced bushman with a self-declared “sovereign citizen” identity.
Police suspect he may have prepared supply stashes ahead of time to help him survive in the wilderness.
When officers arrived at his remote property in Victoria’s alpine region on August 26 to serve a warrant related to historical sex offence allegations, Freeman allegedly opened fire before vanishing into the wild.
Authorities believe he is armed with multiple weapons, including a homemade shotgun, a rifle, and even a stolen police firearm.
His ability to live off the land and his possible preparation for a long-term hideout make the search extremely difficult.
Why the Search Feels Impossible
Speaking on the podcast, Cale explained just how daunting the mission is for police.
“It is very hard to find someone who’s spent a lot of time in a particular area,” he said.
If Freeman planned this escape, he could have established hidden camps stocked with food, ammunition, and weapons—making him elusive for weeks or even months.
But there’s also a darker possibility. Freeman could have already died in the wilderness—perhaps injured, perhaps by suicide.
“That’s troubling,” Cale admitted, “because you won’t get confirmation.
Is he alive and dangerous, or is he lying somewhere out of sight?”
A Commando’s Perspective on Tracking
Cale, who built his reputation in Afghanistan as part of the elite Second Commando Regiment, knows a thing or two about hunting men in difficult terrain.
His nickname, “killer commando,” was earned after he tracked down a Taliban leader and killed him in combat.
He described the tactical process police would use: gradually tightening search areas, breaking them into smaller zones, and relying on a perimeter to prevent escape.
But with Australia’s vast bushland, the task becomes nearly impossible.
“You may think you’ve searched an area, but you could have walked right past him,” Cale warned.
Why Police Fear the Worst
The longer the manhunt drags on, the less likely it seems that Freeman will surrender peacefully.
Crime reporter Wayne Flower, who hosted the podcast episode, suggested the fugitive is unlikely to willingly face a judge. Cale agreed, predicting a grim resolution.
“The end of this will not be good,” he said.
Expressing sympathy for the families of the slain officers, Cale added: “Turning up, doing your job, and having this happen—it’s a terrible thing.”
He urged anyone in contact with Freeman to encourage him to give himself up.
“The best thing for him to do is surrender and face the music,” Cale said.
The Man Everyone Is Looking For
Freeman’s last known appearance had him dressed in dark green tracksuit pants, a matching rain jacket, brown Blundstone boots, and reading glasses.
While police continue to scour the bush, questions remain: is Freeman still alive, hiding with a survivalist’s precision, or has the wilderness already claimed him?
Where Listeners Can Hear More
The full conversation with Paul Cale can be found in the debut episode of The Trial Australia.
Subscribers to The Crime Desk gain ad-free access not only to this episode but also to over 200 installments of The Trial and On The Case.