AFL Stars’ Mother’s Home Raided in Dezi Freeman Investigation, June 18

Police searched the home of Kay Reid, mother of AFL premiership players Ben and Sam Reid, on Tuesday as part of an investigation into the movements of Dezi Freeman, who killed two police officers in Victoria last year. Nine officers arrived at 7am at the Buckland property near Porepunkah in north-east Victoria and spent three hours seizing phones and copying hard drives. Reid said she and her husband had nothing to hide but questioned why police targeted their property.

What Happened During the Raid

Police arrived at the Reid family home at 7am on Tuesday with a search warrant. Nine officers spent three hours at the property, taking mobile phones and copying Kay Reid’s hard drive. Reid said her phone would take seven hours to download and that officers took a stack of old phones from the home. No arrests were made, and the family was not charged with any offense.

Why Police Targeted the Property

Reid said police did not explicitly state the reason for the search but she suspected it was linked to the Freeman investigation. She noted the family knew Freeman and that many people in the local community also knew him. Police have not disclosed specific reasons for targeting the Reid property among seven properties searched across Victoria and NSW on Tuesday.

The Freeman Investigation Background

Dezi Freeman, a self-described sovereign citizen, shot dead Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson at his Porepunkah home in August 2025. A third officer was seriously injured. Freeman fled and remained on the run for 216 days until police found him at a property near Thologolong on the Victoria-NSW border in March 2026. He was shot by specialist officers after a three-hour standoff. Taskforce Summit is now investigating who may have harbored Freeman during his time evading authorities.

Reid’s Criticism of the Operation

Reid criticized the raid as a waste of time, saying it disrupted her day and that of her husband Bruce. She said she had planned to go to yoga and Bruce had planned a motorbike ride. Reid stated officers could have explained the search better and said she would follow up with the magistrate about the warrant. She emphasized the family had nothing to hide and questioned the investigative value of the operation.

Final Thoughts

Police are investigating who provided support to Freeman during his 216-day manhunt. The Reid family raid is one of seven search operations across Victoria and NSW aimed at identifying people who may have harbored the fugitive. No charges have been laid against any occupants so far.

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