Natarsha Belling

You were actually on maternity leave and you actually received a text message from one of your contacts saying DF had been found dead.

Take us through exactly what that message said and what unfolded.

And Cassie, also at that time, I remember when the details were breaking, the commissioner actually in the press conference refused to officially confirm it was Desi Freeman.

So for you, you knew your contacts were rock solid, but were you surprised also about the way that they found him?

How did they find him?

And Cassie, you've been involved in this new podcast talking about Desi Freeman, your involvement in the story, the fact that when he was finally apprehended and shot dead by authorities, what is the surprise that you've had, the takeaway message through your investigations and your experience with the Desi Freeman case?

Yeah, it's a great point, Cassie, because that's the other takeaway is the fact that the increase of the sovereign citizens, which we've seen so much coverage on recently.

Congratulations on your extraordinary work with this case and well done on this new podcast.

And thanks so much for joining us.

Thank you so much, Taj.

That was Seven News journalist Cassie Zervos.

And you can listen to Cassie's podcast about Desi Freeman.

Just search Secrets We Keep.

And that's it for this episode of the afternoon edition of The Briefing.

We'll be back with The Weekend Briefing tomorrow.

And Helen is joined by American singer-songwriter Dasha.

We'd love you to subscribe or follow us on Instagram at The Briefing Podcast.

I'm Natasha Belling.

Thanks for your company.

A listener production.