A father who had been on the run with his three children in New Zealand's wilderness for nearly four years has been shot dead by police.
Tom Phillips, who disappeared with his children in late 2021, had evaded capture despite a nationwide search and multiple sightings over the years. The case had gripped the country and remains one of New Zealand's most enduring mysteries.
Phillips was killed in a shootout around 02:30 on Monday (14:30 GMT Sunday) in Piopio, a small town in northern New Zealand, police said.
Officers were responding to a reported robbery at a commercial property when Phillips and one of his children were spotted riding a quad bike. Police officers then gave chase before laying road spikes to stop them. The bike hit the spikes and went off road.
When police reached the vehicle they were met with gunfire, Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers told reporters. The first attending officer at the scene was shot in the head and remains in a serious condition, police said. A second patrol unit then engaged Phillips, who was shot and died at the scene. While the body had not been formally identified at the time, police were confident it was Phillips.
The other two children were found later in the day at a remote campsite in dense bush. All three children are unharmed, Rogers said. The child he was with had provided crucial information that helped locate Phillips' two other children.
It was unclear whether the children had been informed of their father's death. Police have notified their mother and Phillips' parents that the children are safe, though they declined to comment on who will provide ongoing care.
The children's mother, known only as Cat, told local media outlet RNZ she was deeply relieved that this ordeal has come to an end after missing her children dearly every day for nearly four years. However, she also expressed sorrow over how the events unfolded that day.
Authorities said Phillips had been evading capture since failing to appear in court in 2022. Before their disappearance, Phillips and his children were living in Marokopa, a small rural town in the Waikato region. He had been described as an experienced hunter and bushman, implying that he had survival skills that would help him and his children in the wilderness.
However, there were signs that Phillips got desperate for resources. Since 2023, there have been sightings of him and his children at numerous break-ins at hardware and grocery stores. Last October, teenagers spotted them trekking through the bush and filmed the encounter. In the video, Phillips and the children were wearing camouflaged clothing and each was carrying their own packs.
A warrant had been issued for Phillips' arrest over his suspected involvement in a bank robbery in Te Kuiti, a small town on the North Island. The death of Phillips has sparked concerns regarding the well-being of his children and has left many New Zealanders reflecting on the tragedy of the situation.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Luxon described the incident as sad and absolutely tragic, indicating that the outcome was not what anyone wanted to see. Local residents shared similar sentiments, expressing a wish for a happier conclusion to the ordeal.
