The four-year search for Tom Phillips, the New Zealand father who disappeared with his three children after losing a custody battle to their mother, concluded in a violent shootout earlier this week.
Yesterday, we reported that Phillips was shot dead by police after he engaged in a gunfight following an attempted robbery at a farm supply store in Piopio. Two police officers responded to the store, where they encountered gunfire after approaching one of two quad bikes that had been stopped by spikes on the road.
According to reports, the first officer was shot in the head and is now in critical condition. A second officer returned fire, resulting in the shooter’s death.
Phillips’ three children, Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, nine, were found unharmed at a remote campsite and have been taken for medical evaluations.
The search for Phillips and his children became a nationwide effort in January 2022. Phillips was known to have extensive bushcraft and survival skills, which made sightings extremely rare over the following years.
Last month, Phillips’ family made a heartfelt plea in an attempt to persuade him to return home. His mother, Julia, wrote a handwritten note.
Every day I wake up hoping that today will be the day you all return home.
“Tom – it makes me really sad to think you felt you had to do this. You should know how much we love you and how much support we can offer. It pains me every time I see pictures of the kids and of you, along with some of your belongings that are still here.”
After the tragic shootout that took Phillips’ life, one of the missing children who was with him at that moment (but was unharmed) managed to guide authorities to the other two children.
Authorities have now shared images that show how Phillips managed to avoid police detection during the four years he was on the run.
The father of three had a series of campsites scattered throughout the thick bush wilderness, along with quad bikes to assist him and his children in making a quick getaway if the police got too near.
Commissioner of Police Richard Chambers stated that this situation occurred several times.
“In the last four years, we have extensively patrolled this terrain and region. It’s very likely that we’ve come quite close on numerous occasions,” he remarked.
“We suspect they have been relocating. The landscape in this area is quite difficult. They’ve been on the move and were situated deep in the bush, approximately two kilometres from where the shooting took place yesterday morning.”
