Conspiracy theorist Daniel James Whelan found dead after two-day siege in Lithgow

A man has died by what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a two-day siege on the outskirts of Lithgow.

A man who was known to have anti-government and anti-police views has been found dead inside his home after a 24-hour siege in Lithgow.

Daniel James Whelan, 29, died from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound about 8.50am on Monday, almost a day after NSW Police were first called to his home on Cooerwull Rd in Bowenfels, west of the Blue Mountains, after reports he and a woman were fighting.

Police were initially able to speak Whelan and his partner Ursula Unity Launa Valentine Saunders from a distance, before they went back inside the home, locked the doors and refused to come out.

Officers were told the man had access to a firearm and a siege ensued, with police allegedly being shot at by Whelan, before returning fire.

Police had been at the home for two days before they gained access to the property and found the man dead. Picture: 7 News

The siege came to an end when Ms Saunders emerged from the house with her hands raised and holding what appeared to be a gun, which she then threw to the ground before putting her arms back in the air.

Ms Saunders is assisting police with their inquiries and is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Police sources told The Daily Telegraph that Whelan was known to have anti-government and anti-police views.

Whelan had previously faced court on charges including possessing an unauthorised firearm, armed with intent to commit and indictable offence, kidnapping and stalking/intimidating.

During the siege Ms Saunders had been posting videos on Facebook of her hauled up inside the home, with that footage showing stock piles of rice among other items.

Other footage showed a Eureka Flag hanging in the window of the home.

Superintendent Scott Tanner said those charges were related to domestic violence incidents.

“The man was wanted by police for some serious matters which date back to 2021,” he said on Monday afternoon.

“They were domestic violence matters and matters relating to firearms. There were incidents where he was involved with a firearm previously.”

Supt Tanner described how police officers were called to the domestic violence incident and met with the male and female who were “abusive” towards them.

“At about 4:20pm a male person has let off a number of shots towards police who have returned fire,” he said, also revealing police believe a “22 caliber rifle” was at the property.

“At approximately 8:50 this morning a female has come out of the house and surrendered to police.

“As a result of the information from that female, police have made entry to the house and located a 29-year-old male deceased with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot.”

A woman who claimed she was inside the Bowenfels home posted a video to social media on Sunday night.

Ms Saunders claimed a shot had been fired into the wall of the home. Picture: Facebook

Supt Tanner also confirmed Ms Saunders came out of the home “of her own accord” with a firearm in hand.

“The female came out of the house with a firearm. The female is now in the hospital being assessed and police will speak with her later on today,” he said.

“Until we have a time to speak to the female at this stage we are only speculating the circumstances.”

Police negotiators and the Tactical Operations Unit were called to the home to assist local officers and an exclusion zone was established.

On Sunday night, Ms Saunders shared a video to Facebook from inside the home, alongside a series of comments.

“It is 6.44pm at Cooerwull Road, I am sitting behind a stack of rice with the dogs because I am hiding from police …” she said in the video.

“I am not scared of my husband, I love him very dearly.”

She also claimed police opened fire on the home, posting an image of a hole in a wall. The video has since been removed.

A critical investigation has been launched following the man’s death.