Police have shot dead notorious fugitive Dezi Freeman at a rural property in northeast Victoria, bringing an end to a six-month manhunt.
The 56-year-old was killed at approximately 8.30am on Monday - half a year after the chilling deaths in Porepunkah.
"A man has been fatally shot by police at a property in northeast Victoria this morning as part of the operation to locate Desmond Freeman," police said on Monday.
"No police officers were injured during the incident."
Freeman, previously known as Filby, had been wanted since August when he allegedly shot dead two police officers in the state's High Country region.
Victoria's State Coroner is now set to attend the scene, with Professional Standards Command overseeing the investigation into the police shooting.
The alleged shooting occurred on 26 August at a remote property near Porepunkah, where officers had arrived to execute a search warrant.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were killed during the incident.
A third officer sustained serious injuries.
PICTURED: A police guard of honour salutes as the coffin of Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart leaves the Victoria Police Academy chapel following a funeral service in Melbourne
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Freeman was last spotted by police fleeing into bushland near Rayner Track, reportedly carrying firearms.
The 56-year-old described himself as a sovereign citizen and was known to be hostile towards police and the courts.
He was a married father-of-two with extensive experience surviving in the bush.
The search for Freeman involved 450 Victoria Police officers alongside Australian Defence Force personnel, Australian Federal Police and interstate officers.
Authorities deployed heat-detecting equipment and other technology in their efforts to locate the alleged double murderer.
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The huge search for Freeman involved 450 Victoria Police officers (pictured) alongside Australian Defence Force personnel
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Armed officers in Bearcat armoured vehicles conducted searches of Freeman's property.
More than 100 properties across the Porepunkah area were examined during the operation.
Investigators considered the possibility that Freeman was hiding in one of the region's numerous mineshafts or being sheltered by supporters.
A $1million (£500,000) reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
Sen Const Vadim de Waart-Hottart (left) and Det Leading Sen Const Neal Thompson were allegedly killed by Dezi Freeman
|VICTORIA POLICE
A no-fly zone extended 7.5 kilometres around Porepunkah Airport due to the armed suspect.
Senior Constable de Waart-Hottart, aged 35, was remembered at a funeral service on September 5.
Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said Mr de Waart-Hottart was on temporary assignment in Wangaratta at the time of the alleged shooting.
Detective Thompson had served Victoria Police for 38 years and was approaching retirement when he was killed.
Both officers were hailed as dedicated members of the force who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The investigation into the original shooting incident continues, with the State Coroner now also examining the circumstances of Freeman's death.