Tom Phillips, a New Zealand man who disappeared with his three children in December 2021, was fatally shot by police this week following a robbery attempt gone wrong.
The father had been on the run with his children, Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, nine, evading authorities for nearly four years.
Phillips’ disappearance was marked by sporadic sightings of him and his children out in the wilderness, and his involvement in multiple crimes, including armed robberies, kept police investigations on high alert.
The culmination of this lengthy manhunt came on September 8, when Phillips was involved in an attempted burglary in Piopio, a small town in New Zealand’s Waikato region.
After evading capture on quad bikes, Phillips and his children were confronted by police.
Phillips opened fire on officers, severely injuring one, before being shot dead in the exchange.
The Fate of the Children
In the aftermath of the shootout, one of Phillips' children was with him at the scene and was immediately taken into police custody.
Authorities later located the other two children, unharmed, at a nearby campsite.
The siblings are now safe and in the care of Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand’s Ministry for Children, which has provided an update on their wellbeing.
Warwick Morehu, Oranga Tamariki’s Regional Commissioner for Waikato and Bay of Plenty, confirmed the children were doing well under the circumstances, saying: "I can confirm that the children are settled, they are doing well under the circumstances and engaging with the staff."
Morehu assured the public that the children would receive whatever assistance they needed for as long as necessary and that a dedicated team was working to help them transition into a safer environment.
The children’s mother, Cat, expressed immense relief upon hearing that they were found.
In a statement, she said: "[The children] have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care."
Life in the Wilderness
Phillips had taken his children in December 2021 following a dispute with their mother, Cat.
The family’s time on the run saw them frequently spotted in the wilderness, living off the grid.
Their whereabouts were a mystery to authorities for much of the time, and their situation sparked concerns about their safety and well-being.
Phillips had a history of criminal behavior, including a bank robbery in Te Kūiti, which further complicated the investigation.
Despite the police’s extensive efforts, Phillips remained elusive for more than three years.
In 2021, he briefly returned to his home but was arrested for wasting police resources before disappearing once again with his children.
Rebuilding Lives After Years in Hiding
The future of the three children remains uncertain as they begin the process of reintegration into society.
Oranga Tamariki's Warwick Morehu noted the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the children’s situation, saying: "These are young children, and this has been an unprecedented set of circumstances.
"Everyone is doing their best to ensure we can return them to some form of a normal daily life."
"I want to assure the community here in the Waikato, and also the wider public of New Zealand, that my team here in this region have been planning and preparing for the return of these children from when they went missing," Morehu said, per PEOPLE.
"I can confirm the children had a settled night, they are doing well under the circumstances, and engaging with the staff supporting them."
Morehu further emphasized that a dedicated team of professionals had been assigned to support the children’s needs.
"We are joined up with our partner agencies across the children’s system to respond to those needs," he explained.
"We have clinical professionals who’ve put their hands up to assist if required.
"I want to assure you that these children will be provided with whatever help or assistance they may need, for however long they may need it."
While the authorities work to ensure the children's well-being, the public is asked for privacy to allow them time to heal and adjust to life after their tumultuous years in the wilderness.
For now, the focus remains on providing these children with the support they need to recover from an unimaginable experience.