Nearly four years after Tom Phillips went missing with his three young children, disturbing details are emerging about their dire living conditions. Phillips, along with his children Jayda, Maverick, and Ember, aged eight, seven, and five at the time, was fatally shot by police during a botched burglary in Marokopa, New Zealand’s Waikato region.
Reports confirm that Phillips and the children were residing in a primitive camp hidden deep within the New Zealand bush. Despite being described by authorities as unsuitable for children, the camp was where Phillips reportedly fed them animal food, including various types of maize typically used for livestock.
During the police operation, firearms, and ammunition were uncovered, with one of Phillips’ children, ten-year-old Maverick, even aiming a gun at officers before being persuaded to lower it. A local landowner noted that the rugged terrain made the campsite easy to conceal, complicating the search efforts that had spanned four years.
Authorities believe the camp was a temporary setup, suggesting the family moved around and possibly received assistance. Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders described the area as challenging to access and well-concealed, emphasizing the difficulty faced by the family in establishing it as their base.
Phillips had vanished from the family farm in Marokopa in 2017. Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers assured that the children were physically unharmed, but their mental well-being was a primary concern. She emphasized the need for privacy regarding their current location and mental state, highlighting the start of a prolonged recovery process for the children.
The mother of the children, known as Cat, expressed a mix of relief and sorrow over the resolution of the ordeal after enduring four years of anguish. She eagerly looks forward to reuniting with her children while mourning the circumstances that led to the recent events, emphasizing the hope for a peaceful and safe reunion for all parties involved.