Accused cop killer Dezi Freeman was booked in to see a doctor for his worsening mental condition on the day he allegedly gunned down two officers.
Authorities continue to hunt the 56-year-old, who allegedly shot dead Detective Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 35, at his rural property in Porepunkah in the Victorian High Country on August 26.
During the operation, a third officer was also allegedly wounded by Freeman, who then fled into bushland and has not been seen since.
Freeman, who has evaded a 450-strong manhunt for almost two weeks, was reportedly convinced by his wife, Mali, to attend a doctor appointment for his mental state, scheduled for the same day as the shooting.
Those close to Freeman said he had been unwell in the weeks leading up to the shooting and was in no shape to endure the brutal alpine terrain.
‘He has been really sick with flu-like symptoms for a few weeks and not been able to do any workouts,’ one friend revealed to the Daily Mail.
‘He is certainly not at his fittest and, if anything, physically he is the worst he has been for years.
‘Being unwell has really brought him down and he has been bored and not getting out and about.
Alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman (pictured) has evaded a 450-strong manhunt for 11 days
Despite Freeman’s reputation for being a survivalist, a friend said he was in no shape to endure the brutal alpine terrain where authorities are searching for him
‘He has been drinking a lot more than usual too, and all of this would definitely have slowed him down.’
The source said Freeman had been spending long days inside the bus he called home, resting rather than preparing himself for a life on the run.
‘I’m sure there was a big adrenaline rush for the first few days but that would have worn off,’ the friend added.
‘He just is not the superhuman mountain man everyone thinks he is.’
The Victorian alpine region at the centre of the manhunt is steeped in Ned Kelly folklore, and police fear locals sympathetic to the bushranger legend may be sheltering the fugitive.
As the search drags on, Victoria Police have not ruled out offering a cash reward for information leading to Freeman’s capture.
Fresh revelations about the fugitive’s health have fuelled speculation he may be hiding out in someone’s home rather than surviving alone in the rugged terrain.
Freeman was on a Centrelink disability pension for more than two decades, despite refusing to recognise the government and being a sovereign citizen.
Freeman, who has evaded a 450-strong manhunt for almost two weeks, was reportedly convinced by his wife, Mali (pictured), to attend a doctor appointment for his mental state, scheduled for the same day as the shootin
It was revealed by a Porepunkah resident last week that Freeman can shoot at astonishing distances and has a raft of other bush skills at his fingertips
Police are no closer to tracking down Freeman, despite heavily armed officers searching more than 100 properties since the alleged shootings
It’s understood his poor mental health coupled with his hatred of authority meant he couldn’t hold down a job.
‘He never worked, never had any money… that’s what used to s*** me too, because he was so against the government, but then got his Centrelink cheque every week,’ a former neighbour told News Corp.
General manager at Porepunkah Pub Misty-Rose Wilson, 33, revealed that Freeman can shoot at astonishing distances and has a raft of other bush skills at his fingertips.
‘He is a very skilled hunter,’ Ms Wilson said.
‘He has long-range and short-range arms, but when you’re thinking about hunting deer, you need to be quite far from them. You’re talking almost 150m to 200m away.
‘He is a gifted hunter and has really, really good aim. If he wants to shoot something, he’s going to shoot it.’
Ms Wilson, who is herself experienced in bushcraft, revealed Freeman also understands primitive bush weaponry.
‘Out there you might not have to use rifles or guns or anything like that, but you’re using the tools and resources you have on hand,’ she told the Daily Mail.
Police have said they suspect the self-proclaimed ‘sovereign citizen’ is being aided by a network of supporters in the region
She added that he is known to use snares, which are traps made using wire or rope fashioned into a noose, usually used for hunting game.
Ten officers had attended the property to serve a warrant over historic sexual assault charges involving a minor when Freeman allegedly opened fire.
Porepunkah and nearby communities on Friday paid tribute to the fallen officers, with flags flying at half-mast at the Ovens command centre and at the Bright town centre.
Floral tributes have been placed at several sites, and blue ribbons have been tied to trees in the Bright town centre.
Senior Constable De Waart-Hottart was farewelled at a funeral service on Friday.
Detective Thompson will be farewelled on Monday.
