Key Takeaways
- The Coroners Court of Victoria has opened the first stage of coronial inquests into the August 2025 Porepunkah police shootings and the subsequent shooting of suspect De Freeman in March 2026.
- Two separate directions hearings are being held today before State Coroner Judge Liberty Sanger: one examines the deaths of Senior Constable Vadmin de Waart‑Hottart and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson; the other considers matters relating to Freeman, who was killed by police after a three‑hour stand‑off.
- Today’s hearings are procedural; they will not hear substantive evidence but will appoint coronial investigators, set timelines for briefing documents, and define the scope and next steps of the full inquests.
- The inquests will be overseen by Judge Sanger at the Coroners Court in Melbourne, though a date for the commencement of the full hearings has not yet been announced.
- The cases were referred to the coroner following Freeman’s death, as required by Victoria’s reportable‑death procedures.
- Outcomes of the inquests may influence police procedures, accountability mechanisms, and public understanding of the events that led to the loss of life on both sides.
Overview of the Coronial Inquest Initiation
The first stage of the coronial inquests into the tragic Porepunkah police shootings commenced today in the Coroners Court of Victoria. These inquests arise from the fatal shooting of two Victoria Police officers while they were executing a warrant for historical sex offences at a rural property in Porepunkah on 26 August 2025. The incident also precipitated a later confrontation that resulted in the death of the alleged shooter, De Freeman, more than seven months later. Under Victoria’s coronial system, any death that occurs in police custody or as a result of police action is classified as a reportable death and must be examined by a coroner. Accordingly, the deaths of Senior Constable Vadmin de Waart‑Hottart, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, and De Freeman were all referred to the Coroners Court, prompting the opening of these inquests to establish the facts, circumstances, and any systemic issues that may have contributed to the outcomes.
Details of the Hearing Concerning the Two Police Officers
This morning’s first directions hearing focuses specifically on the deaths of Senior Constable Vadmin de Waart‑Hottart, aged 34, and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, aged 59. Both officers were part of a ten‑member police team serving a warrant linked to historical sex‑offence allegations at a secluded property in Porepunkah, located in north‑east Victoria. During the operation, gunfire erupted, resulting in the fatal shooting of both constables. The hearing will consider the context of the warrant execution, the tactical decisions made by the police team, and any immediate factors that may have led to the use of lethal force against the officers. While no substantive evidence will be presented at this stage, the hearing aims to clarify the scope of inquiries needed to understand how the officers came under fire and whether any procedural shortcomings contributed to the tragedy.
Details of the Hearing Concerning De Freeman
Later today, a separate directions hearing will address matters relating to De Freeman, the 56‑year‑old man who was shot and killed by police following a three‑hour stand‑off on 30 March 2026 at a rural property in Thologolong, approximately 150 kilometres from Porepunkah. Freeman had become the focus of a police investigation after the August shooting, and the stand‑off culminated in his death when officers discharged their weapons. This hearing will examine the sequence of events leading up to the stand‑off, the negotiation efforts undertaken by police, and the circumstances that prompted the use of lethal force. As with the officer‑focused hearing, the session is procedural in nature; it will not hear witness testimony or forensic reports but will set the groundwork for a later evidentiary inquest into Freeman’s death.
Purpose and Procedural Focus of Today’s Hearings
Although the hearings are taking place before the Coroners Court, they are not intended to examine the substantive evidence surrounding the deaths. Instead, their primary function is to shape how the eventual full inquests will be conducted. Judge Liberty Sanger will use these sessions to confirm which Victoria Police members will be appointed as the coronial investigators for each case, to establish a clear timetable for the delivery of key briefs of evidence, and to outline the procedural steps that will follow once those briefs are received. By defining the scope of the inquiries early, the coroner aims to ensure that the subsequent evidentiary hearings are efficient, focused, and capable of addressing all relevant questions about police conduct, decision‑making, and any systemic factors that may have played a role.
Role of State Coroner Judge Liberty Sanger
State Coroner Judge Liberty Sanger bears overall responsibility for overseeing the structure and direction of both inquests. After receiving the investigators’ reports and the briefs of evidence, Judge Sanger will review the material to determine whether any additional lines of inquiry are required, assess the adequacy of the evidence collected, and decide on the final scope of the inquests. Her judgments will influence whether the inquests delve into broader issues such as training, equipment, communication protocols, or mental‑health considerations for both officers and civilians involved. Ultimately, Judge Sanger’s findings will form the basis of any recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future and ensuring transparency and accountability within Victoria Police.
Current Status and Outlook
The directions hearings are being conducted at the Coroners Court of Victoria in Melbourne, with no indication yet from the court as to when the full, evidentiary inquests will commence. The coronial process in Victoria allows for a period between these preliminary directions hearings and the commencement of the main hearings, during which investigators gather statements, forensic reports, and other pertinent documentation. Stakeholders—including the families of the deceased officers, the family of De Freeman, legal representatives, and the broader public—will be watching closely for updates on timelines and any interim rulings. Once the full inquests begin, they are expected to provide a comprehensive account of the events leading up to both shootings, examine the appropriateness of police actions, and potentially recommend reforms to prevent recurrence. Until then, the procedural groundwork laid out in today’s hearings will set the stage for a thorough and transparent examination of these tragic incidents.