For nearly four years, New Zealand father Tom Phillips hid deep in the wilderness with his children.
Phillips first vanished in 2021 with Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9. Despite a nationwide search, his impressive survival skills helped him evade police for years. Photos now reveal the rugged campsites and quad bikes he used to stay hidden.
The long manhunt ended on September 8 after Phillips was fatally shot during a police stand-off. One officer was seriously injured. One child was at the scene and guided authorities to the other two nearby. “We believe they were deep in the bush, always on the move,” said Police Commissioner Richard Chambers.
Locals described the region as “dense, broken terrain, very easy to hide.” Many were stunned at how Phillips kept his children off the grid for so long. As one resident put it, “We’ve been looking for four years. No one knew where they were.”
The case leaves painful questions behind—about survival, family bonds, and the heavy cost of running from the law. What do you think about this tragic ending?