Rhianna Benson
Police in New Zealand have released harrowing images that show where fugitive father Tom Phillips hid his three children in the wilderness, weeks before he was shot dead.
Tom Phillips' ex-wife Cat had first raised concerns with the authorities that he'd seemingly disappeared in December 2021 along with their three children - daughters Jayda, 12, Ember, nine, and son Maverick, 10.
The family lived in the North Island rural settlement of Marokopa, and were not believed to have travelled much further.
Investigating officers trawled through grasslands and forests in the years that followed, hoping to find any trace of the foursome - being that Phillips didn't have custody of the youngsters - but sadly struggled.
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It wasn't until earlier this week that the disturbing truth emerged, following a police shoot-out that saw the father-of-three killed.
Joined by one of his children, Phillips had attempted to burgle an agricultural supplies store in the rural area of Waikato, south of Auckland on Monday morning (8 Sept).
Afterwards, police later set a 'trap' to catch him.
Eventually, the armed dad was intercepted, after authorities lay down spikes in a bid to catch the vehicle he is believed to have been driving.
During the arrest attempt, however, Phillips shot one officer in the head, leaving him critically injured.
Whilst the man is undergoing surgery at a hospital and is expected to survive, Phillips was killed at the scene.
New Zealand’s Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers told reporters that the officer had been shot 'multiple times with a high-powered rifle', and that the child that had accompanied Phillips had since been taken into custody.
It would take a further 13 hours for the whereabouts of the fugitive's other two children to be revealed.
The pair were eventually discovered unaccompanied by adults at a remote campsite their dad had constructed within the bush, photos of which have since been released by police.
An initial update from police read: "A number of areas in Western Waikato remain under scene guard as Police process evidence following Monday morning’s events."
The official statement went on to add that 'the camp area in Waitomo and the scene of the shooting remain active crime scenes, with forensic staff on site today to gather evidence', as per PEOPLE Magazine.
It continued: "Three firearms, including the weapon used by Phillips, have been recovered from the scene of the shooting. Several firearms have been located from the area where Phillips was camping, and further details will be shared when they become available."
Two of the unnerving images show a quad bike nestled in the deep wilderness, along with several tires, as well as what appears to be cans of soda and a gallon of gas.
Police later confirmed that the two children found in the camp were 'unharmed' and are 'now safe'.
A subsequent release - issued following an Independent Police Conduct Authority investigation, Coronial enquiries, and a Critical Incident Review - went on to declare: "The body of Tom Phillips was removed from the scene late yesterday and there will be a [post-mortem] tomorrow, after which his body will be released to his family."
Jill Rogers has since provided an update, adding: "Investigation staff are going over the areas where the family had been staying, and have been speaking with farmers, locals, and workers in the area.
"That work is to help us build an accurate picture of the movements of Tom Phillips and the children."
The Acting Deputy Police Commissioner continued of the trio: "Our staff described the children as being engaged and they readily spoke with our staff, who provided them with snacks and drinks while they waited to be brought out of the [campsite].
"While they are now in the care of Oranga Tamariki [the Ministry for Children], we will continue to work closely with the children, taking the time and sensitivity that is needed after the ordeal they have been through."
Since then, the children's mother Cat has issued a statement to Radio New Zealand, in which she said she was 'deeply relieved' by the 'ordeal'.
"First and foremost, we are deeply relieved that for our tamariki [children] this ordeal has come to an end," she told listeners.
"They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care."
Local outlet RNZ also reported (via the BBC) that the mother-of-three had expressed her 'deepest love' to the police officer who was injured.
She continued: "At the same time, we are saddened by how events unfolded today. Our hope has always been that the children could be returned in a peaceful and safe way for everyone involved."