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A video shows the Phillips children and their father Thomas, who have been missing in Marokopa for three years. © Waikato Police/Screenshot
For three years there was no trace of the Phillips children in New Zealand. Now hunters came across them by chance.
Update from October 11th, 11:32 a.m.: “It was overwhelming, it was breathtaking. “When I saw the video, I immediately broke down,” Ember, Maverick and Jayda’s mother tells the New Zealand Herald with tears in his eyes. After three years of separation, Cat had finally caught a glimpse of her children, who had apparently been kidnapped into the wilderness by their father, Tom.
“It was the best thing ever, like Christmas was early this year,” says Cat, noticeably relieved. “I can’t see their faces, but I see them running. They are all there and they manage to carry their own bags.”
Unfortunately, her wish to be able to hug her children again was still denied her. After they were spotted, the three siblings and their father Tom disappeared again into the depths of the forest. Of course, it’s a big disappointment for Cat, who says: “I really, really, really thought they were coming home this time.”
First report from October 10th, 8:52 p.m.: Hamilton – Since December 2021, the siblings Ember (8), Maverick (9) and Jayda (11) have disappeared without a trace in the famous missing person case in New Zealand. Their father, Thomas Phillips, appears to have kidnapped them into the bushland and hid with them.
Sensation in missing person case from New Zealand: Children who had disappeared for years seen in the forest
Now the surprise: Hunters happened to come across the family of four in the forest. Thomas and his Kinderall in camouflage clothing, moved through the bushland west of Coutts Road in Marokopa. It seems like the father doesn’t want his family to be discovered. Like the kidnapping of the “Block House” children, the case is based on a family dispute.
This encounter is a spectacular turnaround in the missing person case that has been going on for three years. Ember, Maverick and Jayda have not been seen since their disappearance three years ago. Only her father Thomas was apparently occasionally seen without his children.
Jayda (lo), Maverick (ro) and Ember (below) have been missing since December 2021 – a reward of around 40,000 euros is being offered for information. © Waikato Police
Armed father wanders through the wilderness with children: hunter reports encounter with missing siblings
Despite the current triage, the children and their father could not be found. The hunters did not dare confront the armed man. However, they secretly took photos and videos and informed the police. When the first emergency services arrived in the forest, the family had already disappeared into the New Zealand undergrowth.
“The children asked: Who else knows we are here?” one of the hunters told the New Zeeland Herald. “Then they just moved on. They were all heavily packed and had large bags. I think the father pushed them on.” According to the hunter, the children at least seemed healthy and well-fed.
“Reason for new investigations”: Police search for missing children with patrols in Maropoka
“The sighting of Tom Phillips on Thursday gave rise to a new investigation which the investigative team is now investigating,” Waikato Police said. Patrols are now being carried out in the area, but the police do not want to reveal further details for tactical reasons. “However, we would like to reassure the public that we have the resources necessary to respond to any information or sighting reports we receive. Our primary focus is the safe return of Jayda, Maverick and Ember,” police said. “We are doing everything we can to make this happen.”
Thomas “Tom” Phillips is 37 years old, 1.80 meters tall, has thinning hair and probably has a beard – there is an arrest warrant against him. © Waikato Police
The disappearance of the Phillips children in Marokopa is probably one of the most dramatic missing person cases in history in New Zealand and has evoked a similar level of sympathy as the tragic case of the missing Arian from Lower Saxony. Thomas Phillips and his wife lived separately and their children Ember, Maverick and Jayda lived with their father. After an argument in September 2021, Thomas suddenly fled with the children. He returned with them three weeks later, but disappeared again in December. As a hunter and experienced camper, he and the children remained untraceable for three years – until now. (moe)
