A desperate search continues for two New Zealand children who remain missing after their fugitive father was shot dead by police in a dramatic confrontation on Sunday.
Jayda Jin, 10, and Maverick Callum-Phillips, 9, have been missing for over three years since their father, Tom Phillips, took them into hiding in December 2021. The children's disappearance has become one of New Zealand's most heart-wrenching missing persons cases.
Police Operation Ends in Tragedy
The breakthrough in the case came on Sunday when police located Phillips in the remote Waitomo region. According to authorities, the operation turned fatal when Phillips was shot during an interaction with officers.
"There was an interaction between that person and police, and shots were fired," said Assistant Commissioner Sandra Venables in a press briefing. Despite immediate medical attention, Phillips died at the scene.
Children Not Present During Confrontation
Most concerning for investigators is that the two children were not with their father when the shooting occurred. Police have launched an intensive land and air search operation across the rugged Waitomo area, known for its limestone caves and dense bushland.
"We have significant concerns for the welfare of Jayda and Maverick," Venables stated. "We are doing everything we can to locate them and bring them to safety."
Three-Year Mystery Deepens
The children's disappearance began in December 2021 when Phillips failed to return them to their mother after an agreed visit. What followed was a extensive manhunt that captured national attention.
Phillips had been wanted on multiple charges, including kidnapping and robbery. Despite several reported sightings and a $80,000 reward for information, the trio successfully evaded authorities for nearly three years.
Police are now appealing to the public for any information that might lead to locating Jayda and Maverick, emphasizing that the children's safety is their utmost priority.
