One of Australia’s most extraordinary manhunts is being unpacked in a new 7NEWS podcast, with Michael Usher and Cassie Zervos stepping through the case that gripped the nation.
Dezi Freeman: The Hunt revisits the deadly pursuit of Dezi Freeman, real name Dale John Freeman, who shot and killed two police officers before vanishing into the Victorian high country, as Seven begins rolling out new cross platform audio collaborations with new owner Southern Cross Media.
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For seven months, Dezi Freeman was Australia’s most wanted man. Accused of murdering two police officers, he vanished into the Victorian high country, triggering one of the most extraordinary manhunts in Australian history.
Dezi Freeman: The Hunt tells the full story – the manhunt, the sovereign citizen ideology that consumed him, and the police officers who refused to quit – in a compelling new podcast series from 7NEWS and LiSTNR.
Launching this Sunday, the six‑part investigative series is hosted by 7NEWS Chief Network Anchor Michael Usher alongside 7NEWS Melbourne Crime Editor Cassie Zervos, who covered every twist in the case and first broke the news of Freeman’s death.
The gripping series reconstructs the investigation from the final 24 hours leading to Freeman’s capture, before exploring his life and radicalisation and examining the growing threat of the sovereign citizen movement.
Dezi Freeman: The Hunt is a first-of-its kind collaboration between 7NEWS and LiSTNR, combining Seven’s trusted journalism with LiSTNR’s premium audio storytelling to deliver this first-to-market investigative series wherever Australians watch, read or listen.
Episode one will premiere Sunday, 3 May, with following episodes to publish Tuesday and Thursdays across Southern Cross Media’s full suite of broadcast, digital and audio platforms, including LiSTNR’s flagship Secrets We Keep feed, which is home to some of Australia’s top crime docos, and on 7NEWS.com.au and 7plus, as a vodcast.
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Michael Usher said:
“From the moment the shots were fired, this became one of the most high-stakes investigations Australia has seen.”
“This brand-new podcast walks listeners through Dezi’s final moments and exposes the secretive world of sovereign citizens, a growing and deeply interconnected community in our suburbs and country towns that may be creating the conditions for the next Dezi Freeman to emerge.”
Cassie Zervos said:
“I covered this case for months, speaking with police, sources and communities living in fear while Freeman was on the run.”
“This series is the first time we’ve been able to explore how he evaded capture, how they eventually closed in, and what really happened during the hunt.”
7NEWS Director of Integration & Strategy, Sean Power, said:
“Dezi Freeman: The Hunt is what collaboration looks like at its best – responsive and premium journalism that meets audiences where they are.”
LiSTNR Head of Factual, Clair Weaver, said:
“This is an exciting collaboration that will take our audiences behind the scenes into the extraordinary world of Dezi Freeman: from his radicalisation to his deadly showdown with police and the dogged seven-month hunt to find him.”
“We’re proud to work with our new colleagues at 7NEWS to publish this insightful and timely new podcast series.”
Dezi Freedman: The Hunt: drops this Sunday, 3 May on LiSTNR, 7NEWS.com.au, 7plus or wherever you get your podcasts
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