Ray taught Dezi Freeman about the bush. Later, he watched in dismay as his friend became ‘radicalised’
Accused Porepunkah killer’s former bushwalking companion speaks out as survival experts say Freeman’s chances of evading capture are waning
Ray taught Dezi Freeman about the bush. Later, he watched in dismay as his friend became ‘radicalised’
Years ago, Ray Kompe took Freeman walking around Mount Buffalo, showing him the mountain, saying the pair became “good friends” before the fugitive fell in “with the wrong crowd”.
“I took him up there, and it was just a great epiphany for him,” the Porepunkah resident says.
Freeman’s love for the high country “became more intense”, he took up photography and Kompe took him on walks to places including Dickson’s Falls.
On Friday, Kompe is leaning on his gate with his dog Luna in his hands. A convoy of police have just searched his home, one of hundreds that have been searched over the past 11 days. Kompe says he has not seen Freeman properly in 10 years now and he is not accused of any wrongdoing.
“We used to do a lot of crazy walks … but then he fell into the wrong crowd,” he says.
Kompe says Freeman became more ideologically extreme and would talk about how he “had a great disdain for Australian women”. The two men would say hello if they passed each other in the street in Bright, but as Freeman’s views changed, their friendship waned.
“It was just like a switch that was switched off, and that was basically as he started to become a bit radicalised,” he says.
Kompe says he taught Freeman how to move through the bush without using the paths, instead bushbashing through the thick scrub. Freeman learned where the mine adits in the area are. He says they hold heat exceptionally well and can be 18C even at night.
“He just loved the bush, and I was probably the catalyst for all of that,” Kompe says.
“He’s become very proficient at getting around it.”
What must the poor cows be thinking??
