A family mystery that captivated New Zealand has taken a new twist as Tom Phillips and his three missing children, Jayda, Maverick, and Ember, who disappeared nearly three years ago, were recently spotted in the wilderness. The sighting comes after years of uncertainty surrounding their whereabouts, with Phillips evading authorities since late 2021. The family’s sudden reappearance has sparked relief and further questions about their life on the run and their future.
The Disappearance
In December 2021, Tom Phillips fled into the rugged wilderness of New Zealand’s North Island with his three children—Jayda, Maverick, and Ember—following a dispute with their mother. The disappearance was not the first time Phillips had taken his children off the grid; in September 2021, he and the children had gone missing for 19 days, later claiming they had been on an extended camping trip. Despite facing charges for wasting police resources, Phillips went missing once again in December, with the children disappearing alongside him.1
Phillips was reported missing after failing to appear at a court hearing in January 2022. His truck was later found abandoned, leading to an extensive search by land and sea. However, the family remained elusive, living in hiding for nearly three years.
Recent Sightings
The breakthrough in the search came in August 2023 when Phillips was spotted in a Hamilton shopping center, disguised with a mask. He was later charged in connection with an armed bank robbery, further raising concerns about his involvement in criminal activities while on the run with his then-missing children.2 However, it wasn’t until a group of pig hunters recently encountered the family that the public got their first glimpse of the children since 2021.
One of the hunters, the grandson of John McOviney, recalled the encounter, stating they spotted Phillips and the children carrying backpacks in the distance. When asked what they were doing in the area, Jayda, the eldest, replied, “only you [know we’re here],” before the group quickly moved on. This brief interaction was filmed by the hunters, marking the first time all three children had been seen together since their disappearance.
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A Life on the Run
The family’s life in hiding has raised numerous questions about how Phillips has managed to evade authorities for so long. The wilderness of New Zealand’s North Island, particularly the hilly and remote regions, has provided a natural cover, making it difficult for police to track them down. Phillips has been spotted on several occasions, including during a robbery and breaking into a store, but each time he has managed to slip away.
Authorities believe that Phillips may be receiving assistance from others in the community, a sentiment echoed by Otorohanga district’s mayor, Max Baxter. “We absolutely believe that somebody, or some people, are helping them,” Baxter said, suggesting that Phillips has supporters who believe he is doing what he thinks is best for his children.3
The Family’s Reaction
The children’s mother, Cat, expressed a mix of relief and heartbreak upon hearing the news that her children were alive and together. “I’m so happy that they’re all there,” she told the NZ Herald. “I’m so relieved to see all three of my babies. They’re all alive”. For Cat, the sighting provided a sense of closure after years of uncertainty, though she continues to hope for their safe return.
Phillips’ mother, Julia, also shared her relief upon seeing her grandchildren in the recent footage. “We were relieved to see the missing children alive and well,” she said, though the family continues to long for their return.
Ongoing Search and Concerns
Despite the sighting, Phillips and the children have managed to remain hidden. The police launched another search shortly after the encounter with the pig hunters, but the family once again eluded capture. Authorities are still offering an $80,000 reward for information leading to their safe return, though previous rewards have expired without success.
One major concern is the children’s involvement in criminal activities. CCTV footage from several incidents, including a bank robbery and store break-ins, suggests that at least one of the children may have been participating in these acts alongside Phillips. Former detective inspector Lance Burdett stated that these incidents indicate Phillips’ need for cash, as “you can only live so much on the land“. This raises further concerns about the children’s well-being and whether they are being coerced into criminal behavior.
Conclusion
The story of Tom Phillips and his missing children remains shrouded in mystery, with their recent sighting in the wilderness offering both relief and concern. As the search for the family continues, the authorities and the children’s loved ones remain hopeful for their safe return. For now, the family’s life in hiding and their evasion of law enforcement highlight the challenges of navigating life off the grid and the deep emotional toll it has taken on those left behind.
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Sources
- “Mum speaks out as children who vanished three years ago are spotted in wilderness with dad.” Lad Bible. Joe Harker. October 14, 2024.
- “Police suspect CCTV footage shows father of missing children months before new sighting in wilderness.” Lad Bible. Joshua Nair. October 14, 2024.
- “Fugitive father filmed with children in New Zealand wilderness three years after disappearing.” The Guardian. Emily Wind. October 9,2024