Tom Phillips, a fugitive involved in a custody dispute, has been missing with his children since December 2021, sparking ongoing search efforts by authorities.
Family Pleads for New Zealand Fugitive to Come Home After Four-Year Disappearance
Family Pleads for New Zealand Fugitive to Come Home After Four-Year Disappearance
A heartfelt appeal from family members of a father and his three children who vanished into New Zealand's wilderness in 2021 recently surfaced.
The family of a father who has been missing with his three children in the wilds of New Zealand for nearly four years is making a poignant public plea for their return. Tom Phillips disappeared in December 2021, taking his children—Ember, nine; Maverick, ten; and Jayda, twelve—amid an ongoing custody battle, which police have classified as a significant influence on his actions.
For the first time since their vanishing, Phillips’ family has issued a direct appeal, with his mother sharing her hopes for their safe return. “Everyday I wake up and hope that today will be the day that you all come home,” she stated emotionally. Rozzi Phillips, his sister, expressed deep concern and affection, saying, “There's a lot of love and there's a lot of support, and we’re ready to help you walk through what you need to walk through.” Rozzi further described her brother as capable, speculating that he could have built a shelter—what she described as a “nest”—during their time in the wilderness.
There remains a pressing concern over the well-being of the siblings, especially after Tom Phillips’ mother shared her anguish through a handwritten note, expressing sadness over the circumstances leading to their departure and reiterating her love for her grandchildren.
New Zealand police confirmed that Phillips does not have legal custody over his children, and they believe he unlawfully transported them after losing custody rights to their mother. Ongoing efforts to locate the family have included a previous NZ$80,000 (£37,200) reward for information.
There were recent sightings of them, including a particularly notable encounter last October when local teenagers spotted and filmed them while hunting in a remote area. The footage showed Phillips leading his children, all dressed in camouflage, through rough terrain while carrying a gun, stirring fears among authorities about the potential dangers involved in his apprehension.
In addition to the custody issues, police have issued a warrant for Phillips’ arrest regarding an alleged bank robbery that occurred in Te Kuiti. They suspect he may have accomplices aiding in evading law enforcement and have advised the public not to approach him, prioritizing safety given the likelihood that he is armed.
As the family continues their desperate wait, the pleas of Phillips’ relatives highlight the human side of this ongoing situation, emphasizing a longing for reconciliation and safe returns over any legal disputes.
