A fugitive father and his three children who vanished three years ago have been spotted – but sadly, they weren’t caught.
At a glance:
- A recent video shows a father and his three children, missing since 2021, walking in the wilderness near Marokopa, New Zealand.
- The footage, captured by pig hunters, is the first credible sighting of the children since they disappeared, bringing relief to their mother, Catherine.
- Police continue to search for the family, focusing on ensuring the children’s safety and well-being.
A father and his three young children, who vanished from their New Zealand home nearly three years ago, have been spotted for the first time in a credible sighting. The family, led by Tom Phillips, has been living off the grid since December 2021, with this recent sighting providing hope for their safe return.
The footage, filmed by pig hunters on October 3, shows Phillips and his children—Jayda, 11, Maverick, 9, and Ember, 8—walking in single file across hills outside Marokopa. The sighting has been confirmed as credible by New Zealand police, sparking renewed efforts to locate the family.
Their mother, Catherine, who has been anxiously awaiting news of her children, expressed relief after seeing the video. “I’m so happy that they’re all there,” she said. “I’m so relieved to see all three of my babies. They’re all alive.”
The family first went missing in September 2021 but briefly reappeared after spending time living in a tent in the dense bushland. They disappeared again in December 2021, and despite numerous reported sightings, authorities have been unable to locate them.
Phillips is also wanted for questioning in connection with an armed robbery in Te Kuiti in 2023. Police believe he has had assistance while on the run and have offered immunity to anyone who provides information that leads to the safe return of the children.
Catherine has voiced concerns over the children’s safety, especially regarding their medical needs, calling their prolonged time in the wilderness “child neglect” and urging for their safe return.
Investigations continue, with police focusing on locating the family to ensure the children’s welfare.
