The three-year search for a father who vanished into the wilderness with his three children has ended in the most tragic way possible. Tom Phillips, 54, was shot dead by New Zealand police during a confrontation, bringing a close to one of the country's most extensive and desperate manhunts.
The children—Jayda, 12, Maverick, 11, and Ember, 9—who were forced to live a feral existence off-grid for years, are now safe and receiving support. Their ordeal began in December 2021 when Phillips, a survivalist, took them and disappeared into the dense, remote bushland near Marokopa.
A Life on the Run
Phillips and the children evaded capture for an astonishing length of time, surviving in makeshift camps. Their existence was revealed through rare sightings and the occasional trip to local shops for supplies, painting a picture of a harsh and isolated life.
The breakthrough came after a reported sighting of Phillips at a property in the Waikato region. Armed police located his vehicle, which triggered a pursuit that ended in the fatal shooting. Assistant Commissioner Bruce Bird confirmed the children were present at the time of the incident but were unharmed physically.
'They Are Safe Now'
In a heartfelt statement, the children's mother and grandmother expressed their overwhelming relief and grief. "While we are relieved the children are safe, we are devastated by the outcome for Tom," they said. "Our focus now is on wrapping our arms around our babies and giving them the love and support they need to process this and heal."
Police have assured the public that the shooting will be subject to a standard, independent investigation to review the officers' actions. The community of Marokopa, which had lived with the mystery for so long, is now left to process the shocking and sorrowful conclusion to the saga.
