Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were killed by Dezi Freeman in August 2025. Now, the Victorian state coroner has shared new details about their final moments. Wodonga reporter Ashlee Aldridge was one of the first reporters on the ground in Porepunkah when the officers were killed. She pieces together the events based on the coroner’s information and her own recollection of that day. PLUS: We’ve got the latest on Erin Patterson’s appeal against her three murder convictions, likely to be heard later this year. More detail is available in our episode <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-case-of/mushroom-lunch-erin-pattersons-appeal-explained/105984404" target="_blank">Mushroom Lunch: Erin Patterson’s appeal explained.</a> If you have any questions you’d like Ashlee and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email <a href="mailto:thecaseof@abc.net.au" target="_blank">thecaseof@abc.net.au</a>.   The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of. The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were killed by Dezi Freeman in August 2025. Now, the Victorian state coroner has shared new details about their final moments. Wodonga reporter Ashlee Aldridge was one of the first reporters on the ground in Porepunkah when the officers were killed. She pieces together the events based on the coroner’s information and her own recollection of that day. PLUS: We’ve got the latest on Erin Patterson’s appeal against her three murder convictions, likely to be heard later this year. More detail is available in our episode Mushroom Lunch: Erin Patterson’s appeal explained. If you have any questions you’d like Ashlee and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au. The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of. The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were killed by Dezi Freeman in August 2025. Now,&nbsp;the Victorian state coroner has shared new details about&nbsp;their final moments.&nbsp;Wodonga reporter Ashlee Aldridge was one of the first reporters on the ground in Porepunkah when the officers were killed. She&nbsp;pieces together the events based on the coroner’s information and her own recollection of that day.&nbsp;PLUS: We’ve got the latest on Erin Patterson’s appeal against her three murder convictions, likely to be heard later this year. More detail is available in our episode <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-case-of/mushroom-lunch-erin-pattersons-appeal-explained/105984404" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mushroom Lunch: Erin Patterson’s appeal explained.</a>&nbsp;If you have any questions you’d like Ashlee and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email <a href="mailto:thecaseof@abc.net.au" rel="noopener noreferrer">thecaseof@abc.net.au</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.&nbsp;The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

Porepunkah police shooting: The final moments

The Case Of is your eyes and ears inside the courtroom for Australia's biggest trials, unpacking major trials recently heard in court and cases in the headlines. This podcast will explain how it all works and answer your questions along the way.

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

The response to Mushroom Case Daily was overwhelming, with more than 8,000 emails from listeners, many of them noting how the coverage had given them unprecedented insight into Australia's criminal judicial system. We decided to convert the podcast into an ongoing trial coverage feed to continue delivering on this front, following cases that capture the public's attention.

Additional seasons of The Case Of include:

The Two Intruders

For two decades, Canberra residents have become familiar with signs asking: Who killed Irma? It's a question that stems from a 1999 home invasion, a violent search for cash and valuables which left 72-year-old Irma Palasics dead, and her husband Gregor badly beaten.

Wheelie Bin Murder follows the trial of Sheree Glastonbury and three co-accused, including Sheree's current partner, Mark Murphy. Prosecutors allege Sheree Glastonbury overdosed her former partner Geoffrey McLean, then disposed of his torso in a wheelie bin.

Toyah's Murder, which follows the trial of 41-year-old Rajwinder Singh, charged for the murder of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley, who was killed when she went for a walk with her dog on one of north Queensland's idyllic beaches, in 2018.

Kumanjayi Walker, a six-part series revisiting the murder trial and coronial inquest that followed the police shooting of a young Walpiri man in Yuendumu, in 2019.

Easey St Murders, which follows the committal hearing for alleged killer Perry Kouroumblis, who police believe attacked Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in their Melbourne terrace house.

Snowtown Parole, which follows serial killer James Vlassakis's parole proceedings.

Romance Scam, which follows the trial and appeal of Perth woman Donna Nelson, who was charged with drug trafficking in Japan.

Croc Wrangler, which follows the reality star and Northern Territory celebrity Matt Wright, charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice related to the investigation of a fatal helicopter crash.

Mushroom Lunch continues to follow all proceedings related to Erin Patterson's triple murder conviction in July 2025.

True Crime

The Case Of is your eyes and ears inside the courtroom for Australia's biggest trials, unpacking major trials recently heard in court and cases in the headlines. This podcast will explain how it all works and answer your questions along the way. The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of. The response to Mushroom Case Daily was overwhelming, with more than 8,000 emails from listeners, many of them noting how the coverage had given them unprecedented insight into Australia's criminal judicial system. We decided to convert the podcast into an ongoing trial coverage feed to continue delivering on this front, following cases that capture the public's attention. Additional seasons of The Case Of include: The Two Intruders For two decades, Canberra residents have become familiar with signs asking: Who killed Irma? It's a question that stems from a 1999 home invasion, a violent search for cash and valuables which left 72-year-old Irma Palasics dead, and her husband Gregor badly beaten. Wheelie Bin Murder follows the trial of Sheree Glastonbury and three co-accused, including Sheree's current partner, Mark Murphy. Prosecutors allege Sheree Glastonbury overdosed her former partner Geoffrey McLean, then disposed of his torso in a wheelie bin. Toyah's Murder, which follows the trial of 41-year-old Rajwinder Singh, charged for the murder of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley, who was killed when she went for a walk with her dog on one of north Queensland's idyllic beaches, in 2018. Kumanjayi Walker, a six-part series revisiting the murder trial and coronial inquest that followed the police shooting of a young Walpiri man in Yuendumu, in 2019. Easey St Murders, which follows the committal hearing for alleged killer Perry Kouroumblis, who police believe attacked Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in their Melbourne terrace house. Snowtown Parole, which follows serial killer James Vlassakis's parole proceedings. Romance Scam, which follows the trial and appeal of Perth woman Donna Nelson, who was charged with drug trafficking in Japan. Croc Wrangler, which follows the reality star and Northern Territory celebrity Matt Wright, charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice related to the investigation of a fatal helicopter crash. Mushroom Lunch continues to follow all proceedings related to Erin Patterson's triple murder conviction in July 2025.

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Porepunkah police shooting: The final moments

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